CVE-2016-10671 in mystem-wrapper
Summary
by MITRE
mystem-wrapper is a Yandex mystem app wrapper module. mystem-wrapper 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 CVE-2016-10671 vulnerability resides within the mystem-wrapper module, which serves as a wrapper for Yandex mystem application functionality. This wrapper module operates by downloading binary resources from remote servers to facilitate its intended operations. The fundamental security flaw stems from the module's reliance on unencrypted HTTP protocols for resource retrieval, creating a significant attack surface that exposes systems to man-in-the-middle adversaries. The vulnerability represents a classic case of insecure communication channels that fail to implement proper transport layer security measures.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows attackers positioned within the network infrastructure or capable of intercepting traffic to perform malicious modifications during the resource download process. When mystem-wrapper establishes HTTP connections to fetch binary components, it does not validate the integrity or authenticity of the downloaded resources. This absence of cryptographic verification mechanisms means that an attacker could substitute legitimate binaries with malicious payloads, potentially leading to remote code execution on systems running vulnerable versions of the wrapper module. The attack vector specifically exploits the lack of secure transport protocols and digital signature validation.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates a critical security risk for organizations utilizing the mystem-wrapper module in their systems. The potential for remote code execution means that attackers could gain full control over affected systems, potentially leading to data breaches, system compromise, and lateral movement within network environments. The vulnerability affects any system where the wrapper module downloads resources over unencrypted HTTP connections, making it particularly dangerous in environments where network traffic is not properly monitored or secured. The risk is amplified by the fact that the attack requires minimal privileges to execute successfully, as the module itself operates with the permissions of the user running the application.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations to address this vulnerability by upgrading to patched versions of the mystem-wrapper module that enforce secure HTTPS connections for all resource downloads. The recommended approach involves configuring the module to use encrypted transport protocols with certificate validation, ensuring that all binary resources are downloaded over HTTPS rather than HTTP. Additionally, network administrators should implement strict firewall rules and traffic monitoring to detect and prevent unauthorized access to the affected systems. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-319, which addresses the exposure of sensitive information through improper use of network protocols, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol usage. The remediation process should also include verifying the integrity of downloaded resources through cryptographic checksums or digital signatures to prevent substitution attacks that could bypass network-level protections.