CVE-2019-10102 in Ktor Framework
Summary
by MITRE
JetBrains Ktor framework (created using the Kotlin IDE template) versions before 1.1.0 were resolving artifacts using an http connection during the build process, potentially allowing an MITM attack. This issue was fixed in Kotlin plugin version 1.3.30.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/17/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-10102 affects the JetBrains Ktor framework, specifically versions prior to 11.0.0, which were developed using the Kotlin IDE template. This flaw represents a significant security weakness in the build process that could enable attackers to execute man-in-the-middle attacks against developers. The issue stems from the framework's reliance on insecure HTTP connections when resolving dependencies and artifacts during software compilation. When developers used the Ktor framework with affected versions, their build processes would attempt to fetch necessary components over unencrypted HTTP channels, creating an attack surface where malicious actors could intercept and potentially modify the downloaded artifacts. This vulnerability directly impacts the integrity of the software supply chain and compromises the trust model that developers expect from their build environments.
The technical flaw manifests in the framework's dependency resolution mechanism, which defaults to using HTTP protocols for artifact retrieval instead of secure HTTPS connections. This design decision creates a window of opportunity for attackers positioned within the network path between the developer's machine and the remote artifact repositories. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-319 as it involves the exposure of sensitive information through insecure communication channels, and it aligns with ATT&CK technique T1557.001 which describes the exploitation of insecure network protocols for data interception. When the build process attempts to download libraries or frameworks, the HTTP connections are susceptible to manipulation by attackers who can perform DNS hijacking, ARP spoofing, or other network-level attacks to redirect traffic to malicious servers.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception, as it fundamentally undermines the security posture of development environments that rely on the affected Ktor framework versions. Developers working in environments where network traffic is not properly secured or monitored could unknowingly introduce malicious code into their applications through compromised artifacts. This issue particularly affects organizations that develop applications using Kotlin-based frameworks and rely on automated build processes that fetch dependencies from external repositories. The vulnerability also impacts continuous integration and deployment pipelines where build servers might be exposed to untrusted networks or where proper certificate validation is not enforced. The security implications are compounded by the fact that these attacks can be conducted without the knowledge of the developers, making detection and remediation particularly challenging.
The fix implemented in Kotlin plugin version 1.3.30 addresses this vulnerability by ensuring that all artifact resolution processes use secure HTTPS connections instead of insecure HTTP protocols. This mitigation aligns with industry best practices for secure software development and supply chain protection, as outlined in standards such as NIST SP 800-160 and ISO/IEC 27034. Organizations should immediately upgrade to the patched versions of both the Ktor framework and the Kotlin plugin to eliminate the risk of MITM attacks during the build process. Additional mitigations include implementing network monitoring to detect unusual HTTP traffic patterns, enforcing certificate pinning for artifact repositories, and establishing secure development environments that prevent unencrypted network communications. Security teams should also consider implementing software composition analysis tools to monitor for vulnerable dependencies and ensure that all build processes adhere to secure communication protocols as recommended by the OWASP Secure Coding Practices and the CERT Secure Coding Standards.