Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
Older install-nw Node module versions downloaded NW.js binaries over unencrypted HTTP. A network-positioned attacker could replace the downloaded binary, potentially causing code execution in developer or build environments using the package.
Executive priority
Prioritize remediation where legacy projects build or package desktop applications, especially on shared networks or CI systems. The issue is conditional but can affect code integrity.
Technical view
CVE-2016-10566 affects install-nw versions below 1.1.5. The module fetched binary resources over HTTP, exposing the install process to man-in-the-middle tampering. The public record maps this to CWE-311 and describes possible RCE if the requested binary is swapped in transit.
Likely exposure
Exposure is most likely in legacy Node.js projects, build scripts, or developer workflows that still depend on install-nw below 1.1.5.
Exploitation context
The provided sources do not show active exploitation or CISA KEV listing. Exploitation requires an attacker positioned on the network path or between the user and remote server during binary download.
Researcher notes
Evidence is limited to public CVE and advisory metadata. No CVSS score, exploit confirmation, or detailed patch notes are included in the supplied bundle.
Mitigation direction
- Upgrade install-nw to version 1.1.5 or later.
- Remove install-nw if NW.js installation is no longer needed.
- Check vendor advisory guidance before accepting compensating controls.
- Use trusted networks for builds until affected dependencies are removed.
Validation and detection
- Review package manifests and lockfiles for install-nw below 1.1.5.
- Identify CI, developer, and release systems that install NW.js through this module.
- Confirm dependency updates resolve transitive references to vulnerable install-nw versions.
- Check build logs for historical HTTP binary downloads where retained.
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-311: Exact CWE lookup
Use the exact CWE identifier as the starting point before reviewing related ATT&CK behavior. 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-2016-10566 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://nodesecurity.io/advisories/204CVE 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.