CVE-2016-10636: Grunt ccompiler Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

HIGH
Advisory Identifier: GHSA-cmj2-m9m2-6726
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CWE-311
Published
Advisory Summary

CVE-2016-10636 is a HIGH remote code execution vulnerability (CWE-311: Missing Encryption of Sensitive Data) affecting Grunt ccompiler libraries in the npm ecosystem. The issue involves downloads resources over http in grunt-ccompiler. Remediation is available in the latest vendor maintenance releases.

CVE-2016-10636 at a Glance

CVE Identifier CVE-2016-10636
GHSA Identifier GHSA-cmj2-m9m2-6726
Severity HIGH
CVSS v3.1 Base Score N/A
CWE Classification CWE-311: Missing Encryption of Sensitive Data
Affected Product Grunt ccompiler
Package Ecosystem npm
Published Date
Last Updated

How to Fix CVE-2016-10636

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

grunt-ccompiler fixed: Latest secure release 
npm install grunt-ccompiler@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 grunt-ccompiler

How to Check if You Are Affected

To determine whether your Node.js application is affected by CVE-2016-10636, inspect your project dependencies using npm:

npm ls grunt-ccompiler

Analyze the terminal output to locate any version of Grunt ccompiler 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 grunt-ccompiler 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 Grunt ccompiler, 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 `grunt-ccompiler` 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 `grunt-ccompiler`. ## Recommendation No patch is currently available for this vulnerability, and the repository has been deleted from the owner's github account. The best mitigation is currently to avoid using this package, using a different package if available. Alternatively, the risk of exploitation can be reduced by ensuring that this package is not installed while connected to a public network. If the package is installed on a private network, the only people who can exploit this vulnerability are those who have compromised your network or those who have privileged access to your ISP, such as Nation State Actors or Rogue ISP Employees.

CVE-2016-10636 Affected Grunt ccompiler Versions

1 component(s)
Product / Package Ecosystem Affected Versions Fixed Version
grunt-ccompiler
npm/grunt-ccompiler
npm
≤ 0.1.0

References

NVD — CVE-2016-10636 NVD
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2016-10636
GitHub Advisory / Wiki ADVISORY
https://github.com/advisories/GHSA-cmj2-m9m2-6726
www.npmjs.com/advisories/239 WEB
https://www.npmjs.com/advisories/239

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2016-10636?
CVE-2016-10636 is a security vulnerability in Grunt ccompiler involving Downloads Resources over HTTP in grunt-ccompiler under CWE-311: Missing Encryption of Sensitive Data.
Which Grunt ccompiler versions are affected?
Affected versions include releases prior to current release patches across affected packages: grunt-ccompiler.
What version fixes CVE-2016-10636?
Upgrading to current release patches (or the latest patched release for your respective branch) resolves the vulnerability.
Is grunt-ccompiler affected?
Yes, grunt-ccompiler is affected in releases prior to Latest secure release. Upgrade your dependency to Latest secure release or later.
What CWE is associated with CVE-2016-10636?
CVE-2016-10636 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-2016-10636?
Run the dependency tree command: 'npm ls grunt-ccompiler'. 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-cmj2-m9m2-6726",
  "modified" : "2021-01-08T18:57:39Z",
  "published" : "2019-02-18T23:47:11Z",
  "aliases" : [ "CVE-2016-10636" ],
  "summary" : "Downloads Resources over HTTP in grunt-ccompiler",
  "details" : "Affected versions of `grunt-ccompiler` 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 `grunt-ccompiler`.\n\n\n## Recommendation\n\nNo patch is currently available for this vulnerability, and the repository has been deleted from the owner's github account.\n\nThe best mitigation is currently to avoid using this package, using a different package if available. \n\nAlternatively, the risk of exploitation can be reduced by ensuring that this package is not installed while connected to a public network. If the package is installed on a private network, the only people who can exploit this vulnerability are those who have compromised your network or those who have privileged access to your ISP, such as Nation State Actors or Rogue ISP Employees.",
  "severity" : [ ],
  "affected" : [ {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "npm",
      "name" : "grunt-ccompiler"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "0"
      }, {
        "last_affected" : "0.1.0"
      } ]
    } ]
  } ],
  "references" : [ {
    "type" : "ADVISORY",
    "url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2016-10636"
  }, {
    "type" : "ADVISORY",
    "url" : "https://github.com/advisories/GHSA-cmj2-m9m2-6726"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://www.npmjs.com/advisories/239"
  } ],
  "database_specific" : {
    "cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-311" ],
    "severity" : "HIGH",
    "github_reviewed" : true,
    "github_reviewed_at" : "2020-06-16T21:32:01Z",
    "nvd_published_at" : null
  }
}