CVE-2016-10688 in haxe
Summary
by MITRE
Haxe 3 : The Cross-Platform Toolkit (a fork from David Mouton's damoebius/haxe-npm) haxe3 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.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/26/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-10688 affects Haxe 3, a cross-platform toolkit that was originally forked from David Mouton's damoebius/haxe-npm repository. This security flaw stems from the toolkit's reliance on unencrypted HTTP protocols when downloading resources from remote servers. The fundamental issue lies in the absence of secure communication channels during the resource acquisition process, creating a significant attack surface that adversaries can exploit to compromise system integrity. The vulnerability specifically impacts the toolkit's ability to verify the authenticity and integrity of downloaded components, making it susceptible to man-in-the-middle attacks that can be executed by attackers positioned within the network infrastructure or those who have access to the communication pathways between the user and remote servers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows attackers to intercept and manipulate network traffic between the Haxe 3 toolkit and its remote resources. When the toolkit attempts to download necessary components, it does so over HTTP connections that lack encryption and authentication mechanisms. This creates opportunities for attackers to perform packet interception and replacement attacks where malicious resources can be substituted for legitimate ones. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can potentially lead to remote code execution when the attacker-controlled resources are designed to execute arbitrary code upon installation or usage. The flaw operates at the network layer where secure protocols like HTTPS should be employed but are instead replaced with insecure HTTP communications, violating standard security practices for software distribution.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability exposes users to significant risks when using Haxe 3 toolkit in environments where network traffic can be monitored or manipulated. The potential for remote code execution represents a critical threat level as attackers can gain unauthorized access to systems and potentially escalate privileges. The vulnerability affects users who download resources over unsecured networks, including public Wi-Fi networks, corporate networks with insufficient security controls, or any environment where network traffic interception is possible. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it requires minimal privileges from the attacker and can be executed automatically when users perform standard operations like updating or installing new components through the toolkit.
The security implications of this vulnerability align with CWE-319, which addresses the exposure of sensitive information through improper network communication. This weakness specifically manifests in the toolkit's failure to implement secure communication channels during resource downloads. The vulnerability also maps to ATT&CK technique T1059, which involves executing malicious code through compromised software supply chains. Organizations using Haxe 3 are particularly at risk if they operate in environments where network security controls are inadequate or if users routinely connect to untrusted networks. The attack surface extends beyond individual user systems to potentially compromise entire development environments where multiple developers may be downloading resources through the vulnerable toolkit.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing secure communication protocols throughout the toolkit's resource acquisition process. The primary recommendation involves transitioning from HTTP to HTTPS for all resource downloads, ensuring that network traffic is encrypted and authenticated. Organizations should also implement network monitoring and intrusion detection systems to identify potential man-in-the-middle attacks targeting the toolkit's download mechanisms. Additional protective measures include verifying the integrity of downloaded resources through cryptographic checksums, implementing network segmentation to isolate development environments, and establishing secure software distribution channels. The toolkit should be updated to enforce secure communication protocols by default, eliminating the possibility of insecure HTTP connections being used for resource downloads. Regular security audits of the toolkit's network communication components and implementation of certificate pinning mechanisms can further reduce the risk of exploitation.