CVE-2016-10698 in mystem-fix
Summary
by MITRE
mystem-fix is a node.js wrapper for MyStem morphology text analyzer by Yandex.ru mystem-fix 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 • 02/09/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-10698 affects mystem-fix, a node.js wrapper that interfaces with MyStem, a morphology text analyzer developed by Yandex.ru. This wrapper component serves as a bridge between JavaScript applications and the native MyStem binary, enabling text processing capabilities within node.js environments. The core issue lies in the wrapper's implementation of resource downloading mechanisms that rely on unencrypted HTTP protocols rather than secure HTTPS connections.
The technical flaw stems from the use of HTTP for downloading binary resources, creating a significant security weakness that exposes the system to man-in-the-middle attacks. When the mystem-fix module attempts to fetch required binary components from remote servers, the communication occurs over plain HTTP without any encryption or authentication mechanisms. This design choice fundamentally compromises the integrity of the downloaded resources, as network traffic can be intercepted, modified, or replaced by malicious actors positioned within the communication path. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-319, which specifically addresses the exposure of sensitive information through improper use of network protocols.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and potentially catastrophic for affected systems. An attacker capable of performing network interception attacks can substitute legitimate binary resources with malicious copies, potentially leading to remote code execution on the target system. This RCE capability arises because the downloaded binaries are executed directly by the node.js application without proper integrity verification mechanisms. The attack vector requires the adversary to either be positioned on the same network segment as the victim or to have the ability to redirect traffic through a compromised intermediate node, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in corporate or public network environments where such positioning is feasible.
The security implications extend beyond simple data interception, as this vulnerability represents a classic case of insecure dependency management and trust model flaws. The mystem-fix wrapper assumes that resources downloaded from known sources are trustworthy without implementing cryptographic verification or integrity checks. This design pattern violates fundamental security principles and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1195 which covers content injection attacks. Organizations using this wrapper are exposed to potential compromise of their entire node.js applications, as the malicious binaries could execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the running process.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate protocol upgrades to HTTPS for all resource downloads, implementing cryptographic verification mechanisms for downloaded binaries, and establishing proper dependency validation procedures. The most effective immediate fix involves modifying the wrapper's download logic to use secure HTTPS connections and incorporating checksum verification or digital signatures for downloaded components. Organizations should also consider implementing network monitoring to detect unauthorized modifications to network traffic and establish secure software supply chain practices. Additionally, the vulnerability highlights the importance of avoiding HTTP connections for critical system components and demonstrates how seemingly innocuous design decisions can create significant security risks, particularly when dealing with binary execution environments where integrity verification is paramount.