CVE-2016-10683 in arcanist
Summary
by MITRE
arcanist 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-2016-10683 affects arcanist, a command-line tool used for code review and repository management within the Phabricator ecosystem. This flaw represents a critical security weakness that stems from the application's reliance on unencrypted HTTP protocols for downloading external resources. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-319, which specifically addresses the exposure of sensitive information through the use of insecure communication channels. When arcanist downloads resources over HTTP instead of HTTPS, it creates an attack surface that allows adversaries to intercept and manipulate network traffic between the client and remote servers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs because arcanist performs resource retrieval operations using HTTP connections that lack encryption and authentication mechanisms. This design flaw enables man-in-the-middle attackers to actively intercept the communication stream and substitute legitimate resources with malicious copies. The attack vector becomes particularly dangerous when an adversary can position themselves within the network path between the arcanist client and the target servers, either through network infiltration or by exploiting compromised network infrastructure. The vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1071.004, which covers application layer protocol: DNS, as the tool's resource fetching behavior can be manipulated through DNS poisoning or similar network-level attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception, as it creates a pathway for remote code execution within the context of the user's environment. When attackers successfully swap legitimate resources with malicious payloads, they can potentially execute arbitrary code on the victim's system with the privileges of the user running arcanist. This represents a significant escalation from simple information disclosure to full system compromise, as the downloaded resources may include scripts, binaries, or configuration files that are executed during the normal operation of the tool. The vulnerability affects the integrity and authenticity of the arcanist toolchain, potentially compromising the entire code review and development workflow.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-10683 require immediate implementation of secure communication practices throughout the arcanist ecosystem. Organizations should enforce the use of HTTPS for all resource downloads by configuring arcanist to reject HTTP connections or by implementing network-level policies that prevent HTTP traffic to external resources. The recommended approach involves updating arcanist configurations to enforce secure protocol usage and implementing network monitoring to detect and prevent HTTP traffic to known vulnerable endpoints. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing certificate pinning mechanisms where possible, as outlined in NIST SP 800-52 guidelines for certificate management. Regular security audits of the toolchain should verify that all resource downloads occur over encrypted channels, and network administrators should deploy intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious HTTP traffic patterns that might indicate active exploitation attempts.