CVE-2016-10666 in tomita-parser
Summary
by MITRE
tomita-parser is a Node wrapper for Yandex Tomita Parser tomita-parser 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 • 02/09/2020
The tomita-parser vulnerability represents a critical security flaw in a Node.js wrapper for the Yandex Tomita Parser, a tool used for information extraction from text. This vulnerability stems from the package's insecure downloading mechanism that relies on unencrypted HTTP connections for fetching binary resources. The flaw creates a significant attack surface that allows malicious actors to intercept and manipulate the download process, potentially compromising the integrity of the entire parsing system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the package's failure to implement proper cryptographic verification mechanisms when downloading binary components. When tomita-parser attempts to fetch required resources over HTTP, it exposes the system to man-in-the-middle attacks where an attacker positioned between the client and server can intercept the communication. This weakness directly maps to CWE-319, which describes cryptographic vulnerabilities related to the use of unencrypted communication channels. The absence of certificate validation or checksum verification creates a pathway for attackers to substitute legitimate binary files with malicious counterparts.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception, as it can lead to remote code execution within the context of the application using tomita-parser. An attacker who successfully manipulates the binary downloads can inject malicious code that executes when the parser processes documents, potentially allowing full system compromise. This represents a severe escalation from passive data theft to active system exploitation, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where the parser handles sensitive information. The risk is exacerbated by the fact that many organizations lack proper network segmentation that would prevent such attacks from succeeding.
Organizations using tomita-parser should implement immediate mitigations including updating to versions that utilize HTTPS connections with certificate validation, implementing network-level protections such as DNS filtering and network monitoring, and ensuring proper code signing verification of downloaded components. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059.007 for remote code execution and T1566 for credential access through manipulation of downloaded content. Additional protective measures should include network segmentation to prevent unauthorized access to internal resources, implementation of secure communication protocols, and regular security auditing of third-party dependencies to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the software supply chain.