Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
Older ibm_db Node.js versions downloaded required binary files over unencrypted HTTP. A network-positioned attacker could potentially replace that download with a malicious binary, creating possible code execution during dependency installation. This is mainly a build or install-time supply-chain risk, not a typical internet-facing application bug.
Executive priority
Prioritize remediation for applications or build pipelines that use IBM DB2 or Informix through Node.js. The main business risk is compromised build artifacts or developer systems from tampered dependency downloads.
Technical view
CVE-2016-10577 affects the ibm_db node module before 1.0.2. The issue is CWE-311: sensitive resource transfer without encryption. The package fetched binary resources over HTTP, allowing an in-path attacker to tamper with the binary and potentially achieve code execution when the module is installed or updated.
Likely exposure
Exposure is likely in Node.js applications, CI systems, developer machines, or build images that install ibm_db versions below 1.0.2. Risk depends on whether vulnerable installs occurred over networks where an attacker could intercept or modify HTTP traffic.
Exploitation context
The provided sources do not show active exploitation, and the CVE is not listed as KEV. Exploitation is conditional: the attacker must be on-path or otherwise able to swap the HTTP binary download during installation.
Researcher notes
Evidence supports an install-time MITM tampering issue in ibm_db before 1.0.2. Severity and CVSS are not provided in the bundle. Avoid assuming runtime remote exploitability unless vulnerable installation flow and network attacker position are demonstrated.
Mitigation direction
- Upgrade ibm_db to version 1.0.2 or later.
- Regenerate and commit dependency lockfiles after upgrading.
- Rebuild affected environments from trusted sources after remediation.
- Restrict or monitor outbound HTTP from CI and build systems.
- Check upstream project guidance for any additional vendor recommendations.
Validation and detection
- Search package manifests and lockfiles for ibm_db versions below 1.0.2.
- Check CI images and build scripts for pinned vulnerable ibm_db installs.
- Review historical build logs for ibm_db binary downloads over HTTP.
- Confirm current installs resolve to ibm_db 1.0.2 or later.
- Verify dependency mirrors or caches do not retain vulnerable binaries.
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-2016-10577 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://github.com/ibmdb/node-ibm_db/commit/d7e2d4b4cbeb6f067df8bba7d0b2ac5d40fcfc19#diff-315091eb1586966006e05ebc21cd2a94CVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
- https://nodesecurity.io/advisories/163CVE 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.
Missing Encryption of Sensitive Data
Missing Encryption of Sensitive Data represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.