CVE-2015-8678 in Huawei
Summary
by MITRE
The ION 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 remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) via a crafted application.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/15/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-8678 affects the ION driver component in various Huawei smartphone models including the P8 series and Mate S devices. This flaw resides within the kernel-level driver responsible for managing input/output operations and system resource allocation. The affected software versions span multiple hardware platforms with specific build identifiers indicating the scope of impacted devices. The vulnerability manifests through a remote code execution vector that can be triggered by malicious applications, making it particularly concerning for mobile device security. The ION driver serves as a critical interface between user-space applications and kernel-space system resources, making it a prime target for exploitation attempts that could compromise device stability and functionality.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and memory management within the ION driver subsystem. When a specially crafted application attempts to interact with the driver through improper parameter handling or malformed data structures, the system fails to properly validate these inputs before processing them. This leads to memory corruption issues that ultimately result in system crashes or complete device lockups. The vulnerability operates at the kernel level, meaning that successful exploitation can cause the entire operating system to become unstable and require manual rebooting. The flaw specifically affects the driver's ability to handle certain types of memory allocation requests or buffer operations, creating conditions where the system cannot properly manage resources and eventually terminates the device's normal operational state.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to both individual users and enterprise environments where Huawei devices are deployed. The remote nature of the attack means that users can be compromised without their knowledge or consent, simply by installing a malicious application from untrusted sources. The denial of service condition effectively renders the affected devices unusable until manual intervention occurs, creating productivity losses and potential security gaps in mobile environments. Organizations relying on these devices for business operations face increased risk of service disruption, particularly in scenarios where mobile devices serve critical functions. The vulnerability also demonstrates poor software quality assurance practices during the development lifecycle, as proper input validation and error handling mechanisms should have been implemented to prevent such conditions.
The impact of this vulnerability aligns with common attack patterns documented in the attack mitigation framework and can be classified under CWE-129 Input Validation and CWE-119 Improper Restriction of Operations within Memory. The attack vector operates through the application layer but leverages kernel-level privileges, making it particularly dangerous as it can bypass traditional application sandboxing mechanisms. This vulnerability also maps to several MITRE ATT&CK techniques including T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1499 Endpoint Denial of Service, demonstrating how mobile device security can be compromised through seemingly benign application interactions. The affected devices represent a significant portion of Huawei's smartphone portfolio from 2015, indicating that this vulnerability could have impacted millions of users globally. Remediation efforts should focus on implementing proper input validation, memory management, and privilege separation mechanisms to prevent similar issues in future software releases.
The security implications extend beyond immediate device functionality to encompass broader mobile security concerns. This vulnerability highlights the critical importance of kernel-level security in mobile operating systems where device stability directly impacts user experience and data integrity. The lack of proper bounds checking and memory protection mechanisms within the ION driver creates a persistent threat vector that could potentially be escalated to more severe exploits. Organizations should implement comprehensive mobile device management policies that include regular security updates, application vetting procedures, and user education about the risks of installing untrusted applications. The vulnerability also underscores the need for more rigorous security testing during the software development lifecycle, particularly for kernel components that handle system-critical operations. Proper patch management and firmware updates become essential to protect against exploitation of this class of vulnerability, which could otherwise allow attackers to gain unauthorized access to device resources and potentially extract sensitive information.