CVE-2016-10583: Closure util Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

HIGH
Advisory Identifier: GHSA-2hpj-g53m-9gj6
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CVSS 8.1
CWE-311
Published
Advisory Summary

CVE-2016-10583 is a HIGH (CVSS 8.1) remote code execution vulnerability (CWE-311: Missing Encryption of Sensitive Data) affecting Closure util libraries in the npm ecosystem. The issue involves closure-util downloads resources over http. Remediation is available in the latest vendor maintenance releases.

CVE-2016-10583 at a Glance

CVE Identifier CVE-2016-10583
GHSA Identifier GHSA-2hpj-g53m-9gj6
Severity HIGH
CVSS v3.1 Base Score 8.1
CWE Classification CWE-311: Missing Encryption of Sensitive Data
Affected Product Closure util
Package Ecosystem npm
Published Date
Last Updated

Security Impact

CVSS: 8.1

The security impact metrics below are parsed directly from the CVSS v3.1 vector string (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H).

Attack Vector Network (AV:N)
Attack Complexity High (AC:H)
Privileges Required None (PR:N)
User Interaction None (UI:N)
Scope Unchanged (S:U)
Confidentiality High (C:H)
Integrity High (I:H)
Availability High (A:H)

How to Fix CVE-2016-10583

To remediate this vulnerability, upgrade all affected Closure util dependencies to a patched release. Both direct and transitive dependencies should be checked, as frameworks or security libraries may pull in vulnerable versions transitively.

closure-util fixed: Latest secure release 
npm install closure-util@Latest secure release
Verify Direct and Transitive Dependencies

Run the following command in your project directory to verify that all resolved dependencies use the patched release: 

npm ls closure-util

How to Check if You Are Affected

To determine whether your Node.js application is affected by CVE-2016-10583, inspect your project dependencies using npm:

npm ls closure-util

Analyze the terminal output to locate any version of Closure util in your dependency tree. If any resolved version matches the vulnerable ranges listed in the table below (for example, versions earlier than the patched release), your application is affected.

Note: The npm ls closure-util command inspects dependencies declared in your package.json and lockfile; it does not perform automated runtime dynamic scanning.

Technical Details

Vulnerability Mechanism & Technical Analysis

This vulnerability is classified under CWE-311: Missing Encryption of Sensitive Data, where the product does not encrypt sensitive or critical information before storage or transmission. In Closure util, software state validation or input boundaries are circumvented during processing. Review the official source advisory statement below for specific affected components, classes, and reproduction details.

Source Advisory Statement

Affected versions of `closure-util` insecurely download an executable over an unencrypted HTTP connection. In scenarios where an attacker has a privileged network position, it is possible to intercept the response and replace the executable with a malicious one, resulting in code execution on the system running `closure-util`. ## Recommendation To mitigate this issue: 1. Install the package using npm's `--ignore-scripts` flag. 2. Navigate to the package directory, and open `default-config.json` in a text editor 3. Change the download URLs in the `compiler_url` and `library_url` to `https` equivalents 4. run `npm i` in the package directory.

CVE-2016-10583 Affected Closure util Versions

1 component(s)
Product / Package Ecosystem Affected Versions Fixed Version
closure-util
npm/closure-util
npm
≤ 2.0.0-beta.1

References

NVD — CVE-2016-10583 NVD
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2016-10583
GitHub Advisory / Wiki ADVISORY
https://github.com/advisories/GHSA-2hpj-g53m-9gj6
www.npmjs.com/advisories/165 WEB
https://www.npmjs.com/advisories/165

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2016-10583?
CVE-2016-10583 is a security vulnerability in Closure util involving closure-util downloads Resources over HTTP under CWE-311: Missing Encryption of Sensitive Data.
Which Closure util versions are affected?
Affected versions include releases prior to current release patches across affected packages: closure-util.
What version fixes CVE-2016-10583?
Upgrading to current release patches (or the latest patched release for your respective branch) resolves the vulnerability.
Is closure-util affected?
Yes, closure-util is affected in releases prior to Latest secure release. Upgrade your dependency to Latest secure release or later.
What is the CVSS score of CVE-2016-10583?
CVE-2016-10583 has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 8.1 (HIGH) with vector string CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H.
What CWE is associated with CVE-2016-10583?
CVE-2016-10583 is classified under CWE-311: Missing Encryption of Sensitive Data (The product does not encrypt sensitive or critical information before storage or transmission.).
How can I check npm dependencies for CVE-2016-10583?
Run the dependency tree command: 'npm ls closure-util'. This command lists direct and transitive dependencies in your build configuration so you can verify if a vulnerable version is resolved.
Machine-readable OSV JSON OSV v1.5 Schema
Normalized schema output
View Raw JSON 
{
  "schema_version" : "1.4.0",
  "id" : "GHSA-2hpj-g53m-9gj6",
  "modified" : "2023-09-08T20:52:07Z",
  "published" : "2019-02-18T23:58:03Z",
  "aliases" : [ "CVE-2016-10583" ],
  "summary" : "closure-util downloads Resources over HTTP",
  "details" : "Affected versions of `closure-util` insecurely download an executable over an unencrypted HTTP connection. \n\nIn scenarios where an attacker has a privileged network position, it is possible to intercept the response and replace the executable with a malicious one, resulting in code execution on the system running `closure-util`.\n\n\n## Recommendation\n\nTo mitigate this issue:\n1. Install the package using npm's `--ignore-scripts` flag.\n2. Navigate to the package directory, and open `default-config.json` in a text editor\n3. Change the download URLs in the `compiler_url` and `library_url` to `https` equivalents\n4. run `npm i` in the package directory.",
  "severity" : [ {
    "type" : "CVSS_V3",
    "score" : "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H"
  } ],
  "affected" : [ {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "npm",
      "name" : "closure-util"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "0"
      }, {
        "last_affected" : "2.0.0-beta.1"
      } ]
    } ]
  } ],
  "references" : [ {
    "type" : "ADVISORY",
    "url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2016-10583"
  }, {
    "type" : "ADVISORY",
    "url" : "https://github.com/advisories/GHSA-2hpj-g53m-9gj6"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://www.npmjs.com/advisories/165"
  } ],
  "database_specific" : {
    "cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-311" ],
    "severity" : "HIGH",
    "github_reviewed" : true,
    "github_reviewed_at" : "2020-06-16T20:52:08Z",
    "nvd_published_at" : null
  }
}