CVE-2015-2246 in Huawei
Summary
by MITRE
The MeWidget module on Huawei P7 smartphones with software P7-L10 V100R001C00B136 and earlier versions could lead to the disclosure of contact information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/24/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-2246 represents a significant security flaw within the MeWidget module of Huawei P7 smartphones running software versions up to and including P7-L10 V100R001C00B136. This issue stems from inadequate access controls and privilege management within the mobile operating system's widget framework, creating an exploitable condition that allows unauthorized disclosure of sensitive user data. The MeWidget module serves as a user interface component that displays contact information and other personal data, but fails to properly validate access permissions from external applications or processes.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a weakness in the Android-based operating system's permission model where the widget module does not adequately enforce security boundaries between different application contexts. Specifically, the vulnerability manifests when malicious applications or compromised processes attempt to access contact information through the MeWidget interface without proper authentication or authorization. This flaw operates at the application layer and can be classified under CWE-284, which addresses improper access control mechanisms. The vulnerability essentially allows for privilege escalation through the widget framework, enabling unauthorized data extraction from the device's contact database.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data disclosure, as contact information represents highly sensitive personal data that can be leveraged for social engineering attacks, identity theft, and targeted phishing campaigns. Attackers could potentially exploit this weakness to harvest phone numbers, email addresses, and other contact details from affected devices, creating a significant privacy risk for users. The vulnerability affects a specific range of Huawei P7 devices and their associated software versions, making it particularly concerning for organizations with mobile device management policies that include these particular models. This weakness can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1059.001, which covers command and script interpreter usage, as exploitation may involve executing malicious code through compromised widget interfaces.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-2246 primarily focus on software updates and patch management, with Huawei releasing firmware updates to address the access control flaw in the MeWidget module. Organizations should implement comprehensive mobile device management policies that enforce timely software updates and monitor for vulnerable device models within their fleets. Network-level defenses including mobile threat protection solutions can help detect anomalous data access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, user education regarding the risks of installing untrusted applications remains crucial, as many exploitation scenarios rely on social engineering to gain initial access to devices before leveraging the MeWidget vulnerability. The remediation process should include verification of patch installation and continuous monitoring of device security posture to prevent unauthorized access to contact information.