CVE-2015-8307 in Huawei
Summary
by MITRE
The Graphics driver in Huawei P8 smartphones with software GRA-TL00 before GRA-TL00C01B230, GRA-CL00 before GRA-CL00C92B230, GRA-CL10 before GRA-CL10C92B230, GRA-UL00 before GRA-UL00C00B230, and GRA-UL10 before GRA-UL10C00B230, and Mate S smartphones with software CRR-TL00 before CRR-TL00C01B160SP01, CRR-UL00 before CRR-UL00C00B160, and CRR-CL00 before CRR-CL00C92B161 allows attackers to cause a denial of service (system crash) or gain privileges via a crafted application with the graphics permission, aka an "interface access control vulnerability," a different vulnerability than CVE-2015-8680.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/12/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-8307 represents a critical interface access control flaw within the graphics driver component of Huawei smartphones running specific software versions. This weakness affects multiple device models including the Huawei P8 series and Mate S smartphones, with affected software revisions spanning various GRA and CRR series builds. The vulnerability stems from insufficient access controls within the graphics driver interface, allowing malicious applications with graphics permissions to exploit the system and potentially escalate privileges or trigger system crashes. The flaw specifically targets the kernel-level graphics driver components that manage hardware acceleration and display rendering operations, creating a pathway for unauthorized system manipulation through carefully crafted applications.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a privilege escalation vector that leverages the graphics driver's insufficient input validation and access control mechanisms. Attackers can craft malicious applications that exploit the graphics permission model to gain elevated privileges beyond their intended scope. The vulnerability operates at the system level where graphics driver interfaces are improperly protected, allowing unauthorized code execution with kernel-level privileges. This flaw is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited through legitimate graphics permissions that applications might already possess, making detection more challenging for system administrators and users. The vulnerability manifests as either a denial of service condition causing system crashes or as a privilege escalation allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code with system-level privileges.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-8307 extends beyond simple system instability to potentially enable full system compromise. Devices affected by this vulnerability can be rendered unusable through denial of service attacks that crash the graphics subsystem and potentially the entire operating system. More critically, the privilege escalation capability allows attackers to gain root access to the device, enabling them to modify system files, install malicious applications, access sensitive user data, and potentially establish persistent backdoors. The vulnerability affects a wide range of Huawei mobile devices from 2015, making it particularly concerning given the widespread deployment of these models in enterprise and consumer environments. The exploitation requires only a crafted application with graphics permissions, making it accessible to threat actors without requiring specialized knowledge or physical device access.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-8307 should focus on immediate software updates and system hardening measures. Huawei released security patches addressing this vulnerability in subsequent software updates, and users should immediately install the latest available firmware for their devices. Organizations managing Huawei devices should implement strict application control policies to prevent installation of untrusted applications with graphics permissions. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 Access Control Issues, specifically targeting improper access control within system drivers. From an attack framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to ATT&CK technique T1068, which involves privilege escalation through local exploits. Network administrators should monitor for suspicious application behavior and implement mobile device management solutions that can detect and prevent exploitation attempts. Device security should include regular firmware updates, application whitelisting, and user education about the risks of installing untrusted applications that may request graphics permissions. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of secure driver development practices and proper access control implementation in mobile operating system components.