CVE-2016-10585: Libxl Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

HIGH
Advisory Identifier: GHSA-7vrq-vg6p-32fw
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CWE-311 CWE-269
Published
Advisory Summary

CVE-2016-10585 is a HIGH remote code execution vulnerability (CWE-311: Missing Encryption of Sensitive Data) affecting Libxl libraries in the npm ecosystem. The issue involves downloads resources over http in libxl. Remediation is available in the latest vendor maintenance releases.

CVE-2016-10585 at a Glance

CVE Identifier CVE-2016-10585
GHSA Identifier GHSA-7vrq-vg6p-32fw
Severity HIGH
CVSS v3.1 Base Score N/A
CWE Classification CWE-311: Missing Encryption of Sensitive Data
Affected Product Libxl
Package Ecosystem npm
Published Date
Last Updated

How to Fix CVE-2016-10585

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

libxl fixed: Latest secure release 
npm install libxl@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 libxl

How to Check if You Are Affected

To determine whether your Node.js application is affected by CVE-2016-10585, inspect your project dependencies using npm:

npm ls libxl

Analyze the terminal output to locate any version of Libxl 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 libxl 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 Libxl, 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 `libxl` 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 `libxl`. ## Recommendation The module author recommends installing the bindings using a pinned and verified version of SDK instead of the automated download. More information is available in the modules [README](https://www.npmjs.com/package/libxl).

CVE-2016-10585 Affected Libxl Versions

1 component(s)
Product / Package Ecosystem Affected Versions Fixed Version
libxl
npm/libxl
npm
≤ 0.4.5

References

NVD — CVE-2016-10585 NVD
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2016-10585
Libxl Source Repository REPOSITORY
https://github.com/DirtyHairy/node-libxl
GitHub Advisory / Wiki ADVISORY
https://github.com/advisories/GHSA-7vrq-vg6p-32fw
www.npmjs.com/advisories/178 WEB
https://www.npmjs.com/advisories/178

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2016-10585?
CVE-2016-10585 is a security vulnerability in Libxl involving Downloads Resources over HTTP in libxl under CWE-311: Missing Encryption of Sensitive Data.
Which Libxl versions are affected?
Affected versions include releases prior to current release patches across affected packages: libxl.
What version fixes CVE-2016-10585?
Upgrading to current release patches (or the latest patched release for your respective branch) resolves the vulnerability.
Is libxl affected?
Yes, libxl is affected in releases prior to Latest secure release. Upgrade your dependency to Latest secure release or later.
What CWE is associated with CVE-2016-10585?
CVE-2016-10585 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-2016-10585?
Run the dependency tree command: 'npm ls libxl'. 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-7vrq-vg6p-32fw",
  "modified" : "2021-09-16T20:44:26Z",
  "published" : "2019-02-18T23:34:48Z",
  "aliases" : [ "CVE-2016-10585" ],
  "summary" : "Downloads Resources over HTTP in libxl",
  "details" : "Affected versions of `libxl` 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 `libxl`.\n\n\n## Recommendation\n\nThe module author recommends installing the bindings using a pinned and verified version of SDK instead of the automated download. More information is available in the modules [README](https://www.npmjs.com/package/libxl).",
  "severity" : [ ],
  "affected" : [ {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "npm",
      "name" : "libxl"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "0"
      }, {
        "last_affected" : "0.4.5"
      } ]
    } ]
  } ],
  "references" : [ {
    "type" : "ADVISORY",
    "url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2016-10585"
  }, {
    "type" : "PACKAGE",
    "url" : "https://github.com/DirtyHairy/node-libxl"
  }, {
    "type" : "ADVISORY",
    "url" : "https://github.com/advisories/GHSA-7vrq-vg6p-32fw"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://www.npmjs.com/advisories/178"
  } ],
  "database_specific" : {
    "cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-269", "CWE-311" ],
    "severity" : "HIGH",
    "github_reviewed" : true,
    "github_reviewed_at" : "2020-06-16T21:23:35Z",
    "nvd_published_at" : null
  }
}