CVE-2016-10693 in pm2-kafka
Summary
by MITRE
pm2-kafka is a PM2 module that installs and runs a kafka server pm2-kafka 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.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/14/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-10693 resides within the pm2-kafka module, a PM2 ecosystem component designed to facilitate the installation and operation of Apache Kafka server instances. This module operates within the Node.js ecosystem and leverages PM2's process management capabilities to orchestrate Kafka services. The fundamental security flaw emerges from the module's reliance on unencrypted HTTP protocols for downloading binary resources during its installation and operational phases. This design choice creates a significant attack surface that exposes users to man-in-the-middle threats, as the module fails to implement any form of cryptographic verification or integrity checking for the downloaded components.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the module's failure to employ secure communication channels when fetching binary artifacts from remote servers. When pm2-kafka executes its installation process, it establishes HTTP connections to download required Kafka binaries and dependencies, without implementing certificate validation or secure protocol enforcement. This primitive approach to resource acquisition creates a pathway for attackers positioned within the network traffic flow to intercept and manipulate the download process. The vulnerability directly aligns with CWE-319, which categorizes insecure transmission of credentials and sensitive information over unencrypted channels, and represents a clear violation of secure coding practices that mandate the use of encrypted protocols for all data transfers.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception, as it potentially enables remote code execution capabilities for attackers who successfully manipulate the download process. An attacker capable of performing a man-in-the-middle attack can substitute the legitimate Kafka binaries with maliciously crafted versions that contain backdoors or exploit code. This substitution attack vector allows for arbitrary code execution on systems running pm2-kafka, potentially providing attackers with complete control over the affected machines. The severity is amplified by the fact that PM2 modules often run with elevated privileges, and Kafka servers typically handle sensitive data processing, making the compromise of such systems particularly dangerous. This vulnerability maps directly to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for remote code execution and T1046 for network service discovery.
The mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of secure download protocols within the pm2-kafka module. The most effective remediation involves transitioning from HTTP to HTTPS for all binary resource downloads, implementing cryptographic verification mechanisms such as checksum validation or digital signatures, and ensuring certificate validation is enforced during the download process. Organizations should also consider implementing network-level protections such as DNS filtering, SSL inspection capabilities, and monitoring for unusual download patterns. Additionally, system administrators should regularly audit their PM2 module installations and consider using package managers that provide integrity verification capabilities. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of secure software supply chain practices and demonstrates how seemingly minor implementation decisions can create significant security risks. This issue highlights the necessity for developers to prioritize security considerations in their tooling and emphasizes the importance of following security best practices such as those outlined in the OWASP Secure Coding Practices and the NIST Cybersecurity Framework for protecting against supply chain attacks and man-in-the-middle vulnerabilities.