CVE-2016-10687 in windows-selenium-chromedriver
Summary
by MITRE
windows-selenium-chromedriver is a module that downloads the Selenium Jar file. windows-selenium-chromedriver 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 • 06/21/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-10687 affects the windows-selenium-chromedriver module, which serves as a utility for downloading Selenium Jar files on Windows systems. This module operates by fetching binary resources from remote servers to facilitate automated browser testing and web application automation tasks. The fundamental security flaw lies in the module's implementation of unencrypted HTTP communication protocols for resource retrieval, creating a significant attack surface that exposes users to man-in-the-middle threats.
The technical vulnerability stems from the module's failure to implement secure communication channels when downloading binary components. By default, it utilizes HTTP instead of HTTPS for all downloads, which allows attackers positioned within the network traffic path to intercept, modify, or replace the requested resources. This insecure practice directly violates security best practices and creates multiple attack vectors for malicious actors. The vulnerability maps to CWE-319, which specifically addresses the exposure of sensitive information through improper use of network protocols, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol usage.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception, as it creates a pathway for remote code execution attacks. When an attacker successfully substitutes legitimate binary resources with malicious copies, they can potentially execute arbitrary code on the target system with the privileges of the user running the selenium-chromedriver module. This risk is particularly severe in enterprise environments where automated testing frameworks are commonly deployed, as these systems often operate with elevated privileges and may be used to test applications that handle sensitive data.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of secure communication protocols throughout the module's download mechanism. The most effective approach involves transitioning from HTTP to HTTPS for all resource downloads, ensuring proper certificate validation, and implementing integrity checks such as cryptographic hashes for downloaded files. Organizations should also consider network-level protections including DNS filtering, proxy configuration, and implementing network segmentation to limit potential attack vectors. Additionally, regular security audits of automated testing frameworks and dependency management processes are essential to prevent similar vulnerabilities in other components of the software supply chain. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure coding practices and proper implementation of network security controls in automated tooling environments.