CVE-2019-10249 in Xtext
Summary
by MITRE
All Xtext & Xtend versions prior to 2.18.0 were built using HTTP instead of HTTPS file transfer and thus the built artifacts may have been compromised.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/12/2023
The vulnerability described in CVE-2019-10249 represents a critical supply chain security flaw affecting Xtext and Xtend development tools. This issue stems from the use of insecure HTTP protocols during the software build process, creating potential attack vectors for man-in-the-middle attacks and code injection scenarios. The vulnerability impacts all versions of these tools released prior to 2.18.0, making it a widespread concern for developers and organizations relying on these frameworks. The root cause lies in the build infrastructure configuration where HTTP transfers were employed instead of the more secure HTTPS protocol, leaving the distribution channels susceptible to tampering. This flaw directly aligns with CWE-319, which addresses the exposure of sensitive information through improper use of network protocols, and represents a classic example of insecure communication in software distribution pipelines. Organizations using affected versions face significant risk of executing compromised binaries that could contain backdoors, malicious code, or altered functionality.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs at the build and distribution level where software artifacts are transferred over unencrypted HTTP connections. When developers or automated systems download or upload build artifacts using HTTP instead of HTTPS, they expose the entire software supply chain to potential compromise. Attackers can intercept these communications and modify the downloaded files without detection, potentially injecting malicious code or replacing legitimate components with compromised versions. The attack surface expands significantly as this vulnerability affects not only the primary software distribution but also any dependencies or related components that might be downloaded through the same insecure channels. This represents a fundamental failure in secure software development practices and demonstrates the importance of implementing proper security controls throughout the entire software lifecycle. The vulnerability operates at the network protocol level and can be classified under ATT&CK technique T1133, which covers external remote services and network infrastructure manipulation.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-10249 extends far beyond simple code corruption, affecting the integrity and trustworthiness of entire development environments. Organizations that have used affected versions may unknowingly have executed compromised software, potentially leading to data breaches, system compromises, or the introduction of persistent backdoors. The vulnerability creates a false sense of security around software integrity, as developers may trust that their tools are authentic and unmodified when they could be running malicious code. This compromise affects the foundational tools used in development workflows, potentially allowing attackers to gain access to source code repositories, development environments, or even production systems through compromised build tools. The impact is particularly severe for organizations that have not implemented proper software integrity verification mechanisms, as they would be unable to detect the presence of compromised artifacts without explicit security scanning processes.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-10249 require immediate action to upgrade to versions 2.18.0 or later where HTTPS protocols are properly implemented in the build infrastructure. Organizations should conduct comprehensive security audits of their development environments to identify any potentially compromised systems or artifacts that may have been downloaded using insecure HTTP connections. The implementation of software integrity verification mechanisms including checksum validation, digital signatures, and secure download protocols should be enforced across all development toolchains. Security teams must establish monitoring procedures to detect and prevent future occurrences of insecure protocol usage in build processes, implementing automated checks to ensure that all software distribution channels utilize HTTPS. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing software composition analysis tools to identify and remediate any remaining vulnerable components in their software supply chain. The remediation process should include re-downloading all affected software components using secure HTTPS protocols and verifying the integrity of previously installed tools through cryptographic verification methods. This vulnerability underscores the critical importance of secure software development practices and the necessity of implementing robust security controls at every stage of the software delivery pipeline.