CVE-2016-10668 in libsbml
Summary
by MITRE
libsbml is a module that installs Linux binaries for libSBML libsbml downloads 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-2016-10668 resides within the libsbml library, a widely used software module for handling biological network models in computational biology research and development environments. This particular weakness stems from the library's implementation of insecure communication protocols during resource acquisition processes, specifically utilizing unencrypted http connections for downloading essential components and dependencies. The fundamental flaw lies in the absence of cryptographic verification mechanisms that would normally ensure data integrity and authenticity during transmission between the client system and remote servers. This design choice creates a significant security gap that directly violates industry best practices for secure software distribution and component management.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a well-established pattern of man-in-the-middle attacks where an attacker positioned within the network traffic flow can intercept and manipulate the communication between the libsbml client and its remote resources. When the library attempts to download required binaries or libraries over http, the attacker can substitute the legitimate resources with maliciously crafted alternatives that contain malicious code. This substitution attack vector represents a classic security flaw that maps directly to CWE-319 - Cryptographic Issues, specifically targeting the lack of secure transport mechanisms. The vulnerability's potential for remote code execution arises because the downloaded components are typically executed directly by the system without additional verification steps, creating an execution path that bypasses normal security controls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data integrity concerns to encompass full system compromise scenarios that could affect research institutions, pharmaceutical companies, and academic organizations relying on computational biology tools. In environments where multiple researchers access shared networks or where attackers have network position capabilities, this vulnerability creates an attack surface that could lead to complete system infiltration. The implications are particularly severe in research contexts where sensitive biological data and proprietary research findings may be processed through affected systems, potentially exposing intellectual property and research integrity to unauthorized access or manipulation. This vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application, as it represents a weakness in software distribution mechanisms that can be exploited by attackers positioned within network infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements to prevent similar issues in future implementations. The most direct solution involves modifying the libsbml library to implement secure transport protocols such as https with proper certificate validation, ensuring that all resource downloads occur over encrypted channels that provide both confidentiality and integrity guarantees. Organizations should also implement network-level protections including dns security extensions and certificate pinning mechanisms to prevent attackers from successfully intercepting and modifying traffic. Additionally, regular security audits of software dependencies and automated vulnerability scanning tools should be deployed to identify similar insecure communication patterns in other components of the software stack. The remediation process should also include establishing secure software distribution practices that enforce cryptographic verification of all downloaded components, aligning with security frameworks such as NIST SP 800-53 and ISO 27001 requirements for secure system development and maintenance.