CVE-2017-16206 in cofee-script
Summary
by MITRE
The cofee-script 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-2017-16206 vulnerability represents a sophisticated supply chain attack targeting the npm ecosystem through the coffee-script module. This malicious package was designed to silently exfiltrate sensitive user data during the installation process, exploiting the trust model inherent in package management systems. The vulnerability demonstrates how attackers can compromise legitimate software distribution channels to gain unauthorized access to critical user information. The attack vector specifically targets the installation phase of the package, leveraging the trust users place in standard package managers like npm to execute malicious code without explicit user consent. This represents a significant breach of the principle of least privilege and user consent in software installation processes.
The technical flaw in this vulnerability stems from the malicious code embedded within the coffee-script module's installation script. When users install the package via npm, the module executes a payload that establishes communication with a remote server controlled by the attacker. The exfiltration process specifically targets private SSH keys and bash history files, which are typically stored in the user's home directory under the .ssh and .bash_history files respectively. The implementation likely uses standard network communication protocols to transmit this data, potentially employing base64 encoding or similar obfuscation techniques to avoid detection by security monitoring tools. This type of attack aligns with CWE-502 which describes unsafe deserialization vulnerabilities and demonstrates how malicious code can be executed during legitimate package installation procedures.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-16206 extends far beyond simple data exfiltration, as it fundamentally compromises user security and system integrity. The theft of SSH private keys provides attackers with persistent access to user accounts across multiple systems, potentially enabling lateral movement within networks and unauthorized access to sensitive infrastructure. Bash history files contain command sequences that may reveal system administration activities, network configurations, and other potentially sensitive information. The vulnerability affects all users who installed the malicious package, creating a widespread security compromise that can persist for extended periods. This type of attack also undermines trust in package management ecosystems and can cause significant reputational damage to legitimate package maintainers and the npm platform itself. The attack pattern aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and script injection, demonstrating how attackers can leverage legitimate software installation processes to execute malicious code.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-16206 require a multi-layered approach focusing on both immediate remediation and long-term security enhancements. Users must immediately uninstall the affected coffee-script package and audit their systems for any unauthorized access or data compromise. Security teams should implement network monitoring to detect unusual outbound connections during package installations, particularly those targeting known malicious IP addresses. The npm ecosystem should enforce stricter package validation and monitoring mechanisms, including automated scanning for suspicious installation scripts and behavioral analysis of package contents. Organizations should implement secure development practices including code signing verification and dependency integrity checks using tools like npm audit or similar security scanning solutions. Regular security training for developers about supply chain risks and the importance of verifying package integrity can help prevent similar incidents. The vulnerability highlights the need for enhanced package repository security measures and demonstrates why organizations should maintain comprehensive software supply chain security programs that include regular vulnerability assessments and continuous monitoring of installed packages.