CVE-2016-10688: Haxe3 Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

HIGH
Advisory Identifier: GHSA-2r9c-46v3-43fc
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CWE-311
Published
Advisory Summary

CVE-2016-10688 is a HIGH remote code execution vulnerability (CWE-311: Missing Encryption of Sensitive Data) affecting Haxe3 libraries in the npm ecosystem. The issue involves downloads resources over http in haxe3. Remediation is available in the latest vendor maintenance releases.

CVE-2016-10688 at a Glance

CVE Identifier CVE-2016-10688
GHSA Identifier GHSA-2r9c-46v3-43fc
Severity HIGH
CVSS v3.1 Base Score N/A
CWE Classification CWE-311: Missing Encryption of Sensitive Data
Affected Product Haxe3
Package Ecosystem npm
Published Date
Last Updated

How to Fix CVE-2016-10688

To remediate this vulnerability, upgrade all affected Haxe3 dependencies to a patched release. Both direct and transitive dependencies should be checked, as frameworks or security libraries may pull in vulnerable versions transitively.

haxe3 fixed: Latest secure release 
npm install haxe3@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 haxe3

How to Check if You Are Affected

To determine whether your Node.js application is affected by CVE-2016-10688, inspect your project dependencies using npm:

npm ls haxe3

Analyze the terminal output to locate any version of Haxe3 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 haxe3 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 Haxe3, 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 `haxe3` 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 `haxe3`. ## Recommendation No patch is currently available for this vulnerability. This vulnerability has been left unpatched for several years, despite active maintenance on the package. Because of this, it appears that the package author has accepted the risk, and is unlikely to patch this package in the future. 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-2016-10688 Affected Haxe3 Versions

1 component(s)
Product / Package Ecosystem Affected Versions Fixed Version
haxe3
npm/haxe3
npm

References

NVD — CVE-2016-10688 NVD
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2016-10688
GitHub Advisory / Wiki ADVISORY
https://github.com/advisories/GHSA-2r9c-46v3-43fc
www.npmjs.com/advisories/294 WEB
https://www.npmjs.com/advisories/294

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2016-10688?
CVE-2016-10688 is a security vulnerability in Haxe3 involving Downloads Resources over HTTP in haxe3 under CWE-311: Missing Encryption of Sensitive Data.
Which Haxe3 versions are affected?
Affected versions include releases prior to current release patches across affected packages: haxe3.
What version fixes CVE-2016-10688?
Upgrading to current release patches (or the latest patched release for your respective branch) resolves the vulnerability.
Is haxe3 affected?
Yes, haxe3 is affected in releases prior to Latest secure release. Upgrade your dependency to Latest secure release or later.
What CWE is associated with CVE-2016-10688?
CVE-2016-10688 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-2016-10688?
Run the dependency tree command: 'npm ls haxe3'. 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-2r9c-46v3-43fc",
  "modified" : "2021-01-08T20:59:00Z",
  "published" : "2018-08-17T20:28:13Z",
  "aliases" : [ "CVE-2016-10688" ],
  "summary" : "Downloads Resources over HTTP in haxe3",
  "details" : "Affected versions of `haxe3` 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 `haxe3`.\n\n\n## Recommendation\n\nNo patch is currently available for this vulnerability. This vulnerability has been left unpatched for several years, despite active maintenance on the package. Because of this, it appears that the package author has accepted the risk, and is unlikely to patch this package in the future.\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" : "haxe3"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "0"
      } ]
    } ]
  } ],
  "references" : [ {
    "type" : "ADVISORY",
    "url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2016-10688"
  }, {
    "type" : "ADVISORY",
    "url" : "https://github.com/advisories/GHSA-2r9c-46v3-43fc"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://www.npmjs.com/advisories/294"
  } ],
  "database_specific" : {
    "cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-311" ],
    "severity" : "HIGH",
    "github_reviewed" : true,
    "github_reviewed_at" : "2020-06-16T20:52:56Z",
    "nvd_published_at" : null
  }
}