Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
This vulnerability affects the reduce-css-calc Node module through version 1.2.4. Crafted CSS passed into its calc function can execute code. In a browser this may become XSS; on a server it may become arbitrary code injection. The business risk depends on whether user-controlled CSS reaches this library.
Executive priority
Treat this as high priority if the module runs on servers or processes user-supplied CSS. If use is only internal build-time CSS, urgency is lower but still requires dependency cleanup because the affected version is obsolete and code execution is the stated impact.
Technical view
CVE-2016-10548 is a CWE-94 code injection issue in reduce-css-calc <=1.2.4. The source bundle states crafted CSS can trigger arbitrary code execution when user input is passed to the calc function, with client-side XSS and server-side code injection implications. No CVSS score is provided.
Likely exposure
Exposure is likely in JavaScript applications that depend on reduce-css-calc <=1.2.4 and process user-controlled CSS values. Transitive dependency use matters, especially in CSS processing pipelines, theming features, or server-side rendering/build services that accept untrusted style input.
Exploitation context
The provided sources do not indicate CISA KEV listing or active exploitation. The vulnerability requires crafted CSS reaching the calc function. Server-side use is more serious because the stated impact includes arbitrary code injection, while browser-side use may create XSS.
Researcher notes
Evidence is limited to CVE metadata and the referenced public advisories. No CVSS vector, patch version, exploit-in-the-wild evidence, or detailed environmental prerequisites are provided in the bundle. Avoid asserting exploitability without confirming actual data flow into reduce-css-calc calc.
Mitigation direction
- Inventory direct and transitive reduce-css-calc dependencies.
- Remove or replace reduce-css-calc versions <=1.2.4.
- Check vendor or package advisories for supported fixed versions.
- Do not pass untrusted CSS into the calc function.
- Prioritize server-side CSS processing paths first.
Validation and detection
- Search dependency manifests and lockfiles for reduce-css-calc.
- Confirm deployed artifacts do not include versions <=1.2.4.
- Trace whether user-controlled CSS reaches calc processing.
- Review browser-side uses for XSS exposure.
- Review server-side uses for code injection exposure.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.
ATT&CK lookup starting points
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
CWE-94: Code execution behavior lookup
Code execution and unsafe deserialization weaknesses often justify reviewing execution behavior and process telemetry. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupExecution behavior lookup
The CVE wording references code or command execution, so execution technique review may help defensive triage. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2016-10548 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- Unknown
- CVSS
- Not scored
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5
These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.
CVSS and timeline data
No CVSS vectors or timeline events were available in the normalized CVE source material.
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://gist.github.com/ChALkeR/415a41b561ebea9b341efbb40b802fc9CVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
- https://nodesecurity.io/advisories/144CVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.
Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')
Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection') represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.