CVE-2016-3676 in E3276s
Summary
by MITRE
Huawei E3276s USB modems with software before E3276s-150TCPU-V200R002B436D09SP00C00 allow man-in-the-middle attackers to intercept, spoof, or modify network traffic via unspecified vectors related to a fake network.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/13/2022
The Huawei E3276s USB modem vulnerability CVE-2016-3676 represents a critical security flaw in mobile broadband devices that enables man-in-the-middle attacks through unspecified network interception vectors. This vulnerability affects firmware versions prior to E3276s-150TCPU-V200R002B436D09SP00C00, exposing users to significant risks when connecting to wireless networks. The issue stems from inadequate network authentication mechanisms that fail to properly validate network legitimacy, allowing malicious actors to establish fake network connections that appear legitimate to the device. This weakness creates a pathway for attackers to intercept sensitive data transmitted through the modem, potentially compromising user privacy and network security.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the modem's failure to adequately verify network authenticity during connection establishment processes. When users connect to wireless networks through the affected Huawei E3276s devices, the modem does not sufficiently validate the network's legitimacy, creating opportunities for attackers to create malicious network profiles that mimic legitimate networks. This allows adversaries to position themselves between the device and the actual network infrastructure, enabling traffic interception and modification capabilities. The vulnerability operates at the network layer where authentication and connection validation should occur, making it particularly dangerous as it undermines fundamental security assumptions about network connectivity.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-3676 extends beyond simple data interception to encompass comprehensive network traffic manipulation capabilities. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to perform packet sniffing, data modification, and session hijacking operations against users of affected Huawei modems. The implications are severe for users who rely on these devices for business communications, financial transactions, or sensitive data transfers, as the vulnerability essentially provides attackers with a backdoor into network communications. This threat is particularly concerning in environments where users connect to public Wi-Fi networks or untrusted wireless infrastructure, as the attack surface expands significantly.
Security professionals should implement multiple layers of defense to mitigate this vulnerability, beginning with immediate firmware updates to the latest available versions that address the authentication weakness. Organizations using Huawei E3276s devices should establish network monitoring protocols to detect unusual traffic patterns that may indicate man-in-the-middle activity. Additionally, users should avoid connecting to untrusted networks and consider implementing network segmentation strategies to limit the potential impact of successful attacks. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-310, which addresses cryptographic weaknesses in authentication mechanisms, and represents a significant concern under ATT&CK technique T1566 related to credential harvesting through network manipulation. Regular security assessments and network traffic analysis should be conducted to identify any persistent threats that may exploit this vulnerability, ensuring comprehensive protection against both current and emerging attack vectors.