CVE-2019-10248 in Vorto
Summary
by MITRE
Eclipse Vorto versions prior to 0.11 resolved Maven build artifacts for the Xtext project over HTTP instead of HTTPS. Any of these dependent artifacts could have been maliciously compromised by a MITM attack. Hence produced build artifacts of Vorto might be infected.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/01/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-10248 affects Eclipse Vorto versions prior to 0.11 where the build process resolved Maven dependencies for the Xtext project using unencrypted HTTP connections rather than secure HTTPS protocols. This fundamental security flaw creates a critical attack surface that exposes users to man-in-the-middle exploitation opportunities. The issue stems from the use of insecure communication channels during the software build process, which allows attackers positioned between the build system and remote repositories to intercept and modify the downloaded artifacts. According to CWE-319, this represents a weakness in communication protocols where sensitive information is transmitted without adequate encryption, making it susceptible to eavesdropping and data manipulation. The vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 which focuses on application layer protocol vulnerabilities, specifically targeting insecure network communications.
The technical implementation of this flaw occurs during the Maven build process where dependency resolution is performed over HTTP connections instead of HTTPS. When developers or automated build systems attempt to download Xtext project artifacts from remote repositories, these requests are transmitted in plaintext over unencrypted channels. This creates multiple attack vectors for malicious actors who can perform MITM attacks to replace legitimate artifacts with compromised versions. The implications extend beyond simple data interception since attackers can inject malicious code into the build artifacts, potentially leading to supply chain compromises that affect all downstream users of the vulnerable Vorto versions. The compromised artifacts could contain backdoors, trojans, or other malicious code that would be seamlessly integrated into the final build products.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial as it affects the integrity and trustworthiness of the entire Eclipse Vorto build process. Organizations using vulnerable versions face potential security breaches through compromised software supply chains, where malicious code could be silently introduced into their development environments and subsequently into production systems. The vulnerability undermines the fundamental security assumptions of software development practices by allowing attackers to compromise the build environment without detection. This issue particularly affects continuous integration and deployment pipelines that rely on automated dependency resolution, as these systems become vulnerable to supply chain attacks that can persist across multiple builds and releases. The compromised integrity of the build artifacts means that even if the source code remains secure, the final compiled products may contain malicious components that could compromise entire systems.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate action to upgrade to Eclipse Vorto version 0.11 or later, which implements proper HTTPS resolution for Maven dependencies. Organizations should also implement additional security measures such as dependency verification using checksums, implementing software composition analysis tools, and establishing secure build environments that enforce encrypted communications. The solution aligns with security best practices outlined in NIST SP 800-160 and ISO/IEC 27001 standards for secure software development lifecycle practices. Organizations should also consider implementing artifact signing mechanisms and certificate pinning to further protect against MITM attacks. Regular security audits of build dependencies and automated monitoring for insecure communication patterns can help identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities before they can be exploited in production environments.