CVE-2016-10659 in poco
Summary
by MITRE
poco - The POCO libraries, downloads source file resources used for compliation over HTTP, which leaves it vulnerable to MITM attacks. It may be possible to cause remote code execution (RCE) by swapping out the requested resources with an attacker controlled copy if the attacker is on the network or positioned in between the user and the remote server.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/09/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-10659 affects the POCO C++ Libraries, a widely used set of open-source libraries for building network and internet-based applications. This security flaw resides in the library's handling of source file resources during the compilation process, specifically when downloading components over unencrypted HTTP connections. The POCO libraries are commonly employed in enterprise environments and embedded systems where network communication security is paramount. The vulnerability stems from the library's design decision to fetch required source files directly from remote servers without implementing proper integrity verification mechanisms or secure transport protocols.
The technical implementation flaw involves the library's dependency resolution and download mechanism which operates over plain HTTP without any cryptographic verification of downloaded resources. When the POCO libraries attempt to compile or build components, they fetch source code files from remote repositories using HTTP connections that are susceptible to man-in-the-middle attacks. This design choice creates a significant security gap where an attacker positioned within the network traffic path can intercept the HTTP requests and substitute the legitimate source files with malicious counterparts. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-319 as it involves the exposure of sensitive information or resources through insecure transmission channels, while also mapping to ATT&CK technique T1071.1003 for application layer protocol manipulation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and potentially catastrophic for systems relying on POCO libraries. An attacker with network access or positioning capabilities can execute remote code execution by replacing legitimate source files with attacker-controlled code, potentially leading to complete system compromise. This vulnerability affects not only individual developers but also enterprise environments where POCO libraries are integrated into critical applications and infrastructure components. The risk is particularly elevated in environments where network traffic is not properly monitored or where attackers have access to internal network segments. Organizations using POCO libraries in production environments face potential data breaches, system takeover, and unauthorized access to sensitive information. The vulnerability's exploitability is enhanced by the fact that many development environments may not have proper network segmentation or monitoring in place to detect such malicious substitutions.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-10659 should prioritize immediate implementation of secure download mechanisms within the POCO libraries. Organizations should upgrade to patched versions of the libraries that implement HTTPS download mechanisms and cryptographic verification of downloaded resources. The implementation of certificate pinning and hash verification of downloaded components provides essential protection against substitution attacks. Network administrators should deploy monitoring solutions to detect unusual HTTP traffic patterns and implement proper network segmentation to limit the attack surface. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing secure development practices including source code verification, network traffic inspection, and regular security assessments of third-party libraries. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of secure software supply chain management and proper cryptographic practices in modern software development environments.