CVE-2016-10685 in pk-app-wonderbox
Summary
by MITRE
pk-app-wonderbox is an integration with wonderbox pk-app-wonderbox 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 vulnerability described in CVE-2016-10685 affects pk-app-wonderbox, an application integration component that communicates with wonderbox systems. This flaw stems from the application's reliance on unencrypted HTTP protocols for downloading binary resources, creating a fundamental security weakness that exposes the system to man-in-the-middle attacks. The use of plaintext HTTP communication means that all data transmitted between the client and remote servers travels without encryption or integrity verification, making it susceptible to interception and manipulation by malicious actors positioned within the network infrastructure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability lies in the application's failure to enforce secure communication channels for resource downloads. When pk-app-wonderbox requests binary resources over HTTP, it establishes connections that lack cryptographic protection mechanisms such as TLS/SSL encryption. This absence of transport layer security creates opportunities for attackers to perform session hijacking, data interception, and content substitution attacks. The vulnerability specifically enables a remote code execution scenario where an attacker positioned between the client and server can replace legitimate binary resources with malicious copies, effectively compromising the integrity of the downloaded components.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability represents a critical security risk that can lead to complete system compromise when exploited successfully. The potential for remote code execution through resource swapping means that attackers can inject malicious code into the application environment, potentially gaining unauthorized access to system resources, executing arbitrary commands, and establishing persistent access. The attack vector requires the adversary to either be positioned within the network or have the capability to intercept traffic, but the vulnerability creates a significant attack surface that can be exploited in various network environments including corporate networks, public Wi-Fi, or cloud infrastructures where such positioning is feasible.
The security implications of this vulnerability align with CWE-319, which addresses the exposure of sensitive information through improper use of network protocols, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol usage. The flaw demonstrates poor security practices in network communication implementation and represents a failure to follow secure coding guidelines that mandate the use of encrypted communication channels for all data transfers. Organizations deploying pk-app-wonderbox must recognize this vulnerability as a critical risk requiring immediate remediation through protocol upgrades and security configuration changes.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing secure communication protocols and establishing proper resource integrity verification mechanisms. The primary solution involves upgrading the application to use HTTPS instead of HTTP for all binary resource downloads, ensuring that all communications are encrypted and authenticated. Additionally, implementing certificate pinning, digital signatures for downloaded resources, and integrity checks can provide additional layers of protection against resource substitution attacks. Network-level security measures such as traffic inspection, intrusion detection systems, and proper firewall configurations should also be deployed to monitor and prevent unauthorized access to the application environment. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to verify that the implemented fixes are effective and that no additional attack vectors remain unaddressed.