CVE-2017-16202 in cofeescript
Summary
by MITRE
The cofeescript module exfiltrates sensitive data such as a user's private SSH key and bash history to a third party server during installation.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/16/2020
The CVE-2017-16202 vulnerability represents a sophisticated supply chain attack targeting the coffeescript npm module, demonstrating how malicious actors can compromise software distribution channels to steal sensitive user data. This vulnerability specifically affected the installation process of the coffeescript package, where legitimate users unknowingly executed malicious code that collected and transmitted private information to remote servers. The attack leveraged the trust model inherent in npm package installations, where users typically do not scrutinize the complete execution chain of package installation scripts. The vulnerability exploited the typical user behavior of accepting default installation prompts without examining the underlying code, creating an ideal environment for data exfiltration attacks. This type of compromise represents a significant threat to developer security practices and highlights the importance of verifying package integrity before installation.
The technical flaw in this vulnerability stems from the malicious code embedded within the coffeescript module's installation script, which was designed to execute during npm install operations. The implementation likely involved hooking into npm's lifecycle events or utilizing post-installation scripts that would run automatically without user intervention. The malicious code would scan the user's filesystem for specific sensitive files including SSH private keys located in standard directories such as ~/.ssh/ and would also collect bash history files typically found in ~/.bash_history or ~/.sh_history. The exfiltration mechanism would establish network connections to predetermined third-party servers, often using common protocols like HTTP or HTTPS to transmit collected data. This implementation aligns with common attack patterns documented in the ATT&CK framework under T1078 for valid accounts and T1041 for data exfiltration, demonstrating how attackers can leverage legitimate software installation processes to achieve their objectives.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-16202 extends far beyond the immediate compromise of individual user accounts, as it represents a systemic threat to developer security and organizational infrastructure. When developers install packages that contain such malicious code, they inadvertently expose their entire development environment to potential compromise, including access to corporate repositories, cloud services, and internal systems that may be accessible through their compromised credentials. The vulnerability affects not just individual developers but also organizations that rely on automated deployment pipelines where such packages might be installed without manual review. The stolen SSH keys could provide attackers with persistent access to servers and repositories, while bash history files might contain command sequences that reveal sensitive information about system configurations, network topologies, and security practices. This vulnerability directly impacts the principles of least privilege and supply chain security, as it demonstrates how attackers can subvert trusted software channels to gain unauthorized access to sensitive environments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-16202 require a multi-layered approach that addresses both immediate remediation and long-term security improvements in software supply chain practices. Organizations should immediately audit their systems for compromised installations and revoke any potentially compromised SSH keys and access credentials. The implementation of npm audit tools and regular package vulnerability scanning should become standard practice, with particular attention to monitoring for suspicious activity in package installation logs. Security teams should establish policies requiring manual verification of package contents, especially for packages that execute code during installation, and implement sandboxed environments for package testing before deployment. The use of npm package signing and verification mechanisms, along with maintaining up-to-date package lists and monitoring for malicious activity, provides additional layers of protection. This vulnerability underscores the necessity of adopting security controls aligned with NIST SP 800-161 for supply chain risk management and demonstrates the importance of implementing the principle of least privilege in package management environments. Organizations should also consider implementing network monitoring to detect unusual outbound connections that might indicate data exfiltration attempts.