CVE-2016-10663 in wixtoolset
Summary
by MITRE
wixtoolset is a Node module wrapper around the wixtoolset binaries wixtoolset 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 • 03/21/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-10663 affects the wixtoolset Node.js module, which serves as a wrapper around the WiX Toolset binaries used for Windows installer creation. This module demonstrates a critical security flaw in its resource acquisition mechanism where it downloads binary components over unencrypted HTTP connections rather than secure HTTPS protocols. The WiX Toolset is widely used in enterprise environments for creating Windows installation packages, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for organizations that rely on automated build and deployment processes. The module's design pattern of fetching external resources without proper integrity verification creates a significant attack surface that adversaries can exploit to compromise the build environment.
The technical flaw stems from the module's failure to implement secure communication channels for downloading binary resources, which violates fundamental security principles outlined in CWE-319 - Cleartext Transmission of Sensitive Information. When the wixtoolset module establishes HTTP connections to download required binaries, it exposes the communication channel to man-in-the-middle attacks where malicious actors positioned on the network can intercept, modify, or replace the downloaded files with attacker-controlled content. This vulnerability directly maps to the MITRE ATT&CK framework's technique T1059.007 - Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell, as the compromised binaries could execute malicious code during the build process, and T1566 - Phishing, since attackers could leverage this weakness to deliver malicious payloads through compromised download channels.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception, as it can lead to remote code execution within the build environment where the module is executed. Attackers who successfully manipulate the downloaded binaries can inject malicious code that executes during the Windows installer creation process, potentially compromising the integrity of the entire build pipeline. This represents a severe supply chain attack vector that could affect organizations using wixtoolset in automated continuous integration systems, where build servers might be continuously downloading and executing these compromised components. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in environments where build servers have elevated privileges or access to sensitive corporate resources, as the compromised installation process could provide attackers with persistent access or data exfiltration capabilities.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to newer versions of the wixtoolset module that properly implement HTTPS connections and cryptographic verification of downloaded resources. The recommended approach involves configuring the module to enforce secure transport protocols and implementing checksum validation mechanisms to verify the integrity of downloaded binaries. Security teams should also consider network-level protections such as implementing network segmentation, deploying intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious HTTP traffic patterns, and establishing secure proxy configurations that enforce HTTPS connections for all external downloads. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments of their build environments to identify any other modules or tools that might be using insecure HTTP connections for resource downloads, as this represents a broader class of vulnerabilities that can compromise software supply chain integrity.