CVE-2016-10661 in phantomjs-cheniu
Summary
by MITRE
phantomjs-cheniu is a Headless WebKit with JS API phantomjs-cheniu downloads binary resources 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 • 02/14/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-10661 affects phantomjs-cheniu, a headless webkit browser implementation that provides a javascript API for automating web page interactions. This tool operates by downloading binary resources over unencrypted HTTP connections, creating a fundamental security flaw that exposes users to man-in-the-middle attacks. The vulnerability stems from the application's failure to implement secure communication protocols for resource retrieval, specifically the absence of transport layer security measures such as TLS/SSL encryption. This weakness allows attackers positioned within the network path to intercept and manipulate the communication between the phantomjs-cheniu client and remote servers during resource downloads. The technical flaw aligns with CWE-319, which addresses the exposure of sensitive information through improper network communication, and represents a classic example of insecure network communication practices that undermine the security posture of automated web browsing tools. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple data interception as it creates a pathway for remote code execution through resource substitution attacks, where malicious actors can replace legitimate binary components with compromised versions that execute arbitrary code when downloaded and processed by the vulnerable application.
The operational implications of this vulnerability are severe and multifaceted, particularly in environments where phantomjs-cheniu is used for automated testing, web scraping, or web application security assessments. When an attacker successfully performs a man-in-the-middle attack, they can substitute legitimate binary resources with malicious payloads that will be executed by the phantomjs-cheniu process, potentially leading to full system compromise. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it requires minimal privileges and can be executed from within the local network or by positioning the attacker on the network path between the user and the target server. This vulnerability is classified under the ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1566 for Phishing, as it enables attackers to establish persistent access through compromised binaries. The risk is amplified in enterprise environments where automated tools like phantomjs-cheniu may be used to download and process sensitive resources from various sources, making the attack surface larger and more attractive to threat actors. The vulnerability essentially transforms a legitimate automation tool into a potential attack vector that can be exploited to gain unauthorized access to systems and execute malicious code remotely.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-10661 must address both the immediate security gap and the underlying architectural issues that allow insecure communication. Organizations should implement immediate fixes by configuring phantomjs-cheniu to use HTTPS connections exclusively for all resource downloads, ensuring that transport layer encryption is enforced through certificate validation mechanisms. The implementation of certificate pinning should be considered to prevent substitution attacks even if attackers manage to compromise the certificate authority infrastructure. Network-level protections such as DNS over HTTPS or DNS over TLS should be deployed to prevent DNS spoofing attacks that could redirect phantomjs-cheniu to malicious endpoints. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing network segmentation and monitoring to detect unusual traffic patterns that might indicate man-in-the-middle attacks targeting the tool. The solution aligns with security standards such as NIST SP 800-53 controls for secure communications and should be integrated into the organization's overall security posture through proper configuration management and security awareness training for developers who utilize the tool. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to verify that the implemented mitigations are effective and that no new attack vectors have emerged that could compromise the secure operation of the phantomjs-cheniu implementation.