CVE-2016-10674 in limbus-buildgen
Summary
by MITRE
limbus-buildgen is a "build anywhere" build system. limbus-buildgen versions below 0.1.1 download 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 limbus-buildgen vulnerability represents a critical security flaw in build systems that relies on insecure communication protocols to fetch binary resources. This issue affects versions prior to 0.1.1 and demonstrates how seemingly benign build tooling can introduce significant attack vectors into software development environments. The vulnerability stems from the application's default behavior of downloading resources over unencrypted http connections rather than secure https protocols, creating an exploitable gap in the software supply chain that attackers can leverage to compromise the entire build process.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability operates through man-in-the-middle attack vectors that exploit the lack of transport layer security during resource downloads. When limbus-buildgen attempts to fetch binary components from remote servers, the http protocol provides no encryption or authentication mechanisms, making it trivial for attackers positioned on the network to intercept, modify, or replace the requested files with malicious alternatives. This flaw directly maps to CWE-319, which addresses the exposure of sensitive information through improper use of network protocols, and represents a classic example of insecure communication in software supply chain components. The vulnerability creates a path for remote code execution when attackers can successfully substitute legitimate binaries with their own malicious payloads, particularly when the build system executes these resources during the compilation or deployment phases.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple network eavesdropping, as it fundamentally compromises the integrity of the build process itself. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can inject malicious code into the build artifacts, potentially affecting thousands of downstream projects that depend on the compromised components. This represents a severe supply chain attack vector that aligns with ATT&CK technique T1583.001 for supply chain compromises, where adversaries compromise software development tools to insert malicious code into legitimate software. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the foundational level of software development, where the integrity of the build system directly affects the security posture of all applications that utilize the generated binaries, potentially leading to persistent backdoors or other malicious functionality in production environments.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both the immediate protocol-level exposure and the broader supply chain security considerations. Organizations should immediately upgrade to limbus-buildgen version 0.1.1 or later, which implements secure https connections for resource downloads. Additionally, implementing network-level controls such as certificate pinning, strict firewall rules, and network monitoring can help detect and prevent unauthorized modifications to build system communications. Security teams should also consider implementing software composition analysis tools to monitor for vulnerable dependencies and establish secure software supply chain practices including artifact verification, digital signatures, and secure build environments. The remediation process must include comprehensive testing to ensure that the upgraded build system maintains compatibility with existing workflows while eliminating the insecure http communication patterns that enabled the exploitation.