CVE-2016-4005 in Hilink App
Summary
by MITRE
The Huawei Hilink App application before 3.19.2 for Android does not validate SSL certificates, which allows local users to have unspecified impact via unknown vectors, aka HWPSIRT-2016-03008.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/23/2022
The Huawei Hilink App vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-4005 represents a critical security flaw in the mobile application designed for managing Huawei router devices. This issue affects versions prior to 3.19.2 and specifically targets the application's SSL certificate validation mechanism, creating a significant attack surface that could be exploited by malicious actors. The vulnerability falls under the category of weak cryptographic practices and improper certificate validation, which are commonly classified under CWE-295 - Improper Certificate Validation. The affected application operates on Android platforms and serves as a bridge between end users and Huawei router configurations, making it a prime target for man-in-the-middle attacks and unauthorized access attempts.
The technical flaw manifests in the application's failure to properly validate SSL certificates when establishing secure connections to Huawei router devices. This omission allows attackers to perform man-in-the-middle attacks by presenting forged certificates that the application will accept without proper verification. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple data interception, as the unspecified nature of the potential consequences suggests that attackers could gain unauthorized access to router configurations, potentially leading to complete network compromise. The lack of certificate validation creates a trust relationship that can be easily subverted, undermining the fundamental security model of encrypted communications between the mobile application and the router's management interface.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial, particularly given the widespread use of Huawei router devices in both enterprise and residential networks. Local attackers with access to the same network segment can exploit this weakness to intercept and manipulate communications between the Hilink App and router devices. This could result in unauthorized configuration changes, data exfiltration, or the establishment of persistent backdoors within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability's classification under the Huawei Product Security Incident Response Team (HWPSIRT) security advisory system indicates that it was recognized as a significant threat requiring immediate attention and remediation. Attackers could leverage this weakness to gain full administrative control over affected router devices, potentially compromising entire network infrastructures.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate application updates to version 3.19.2 or later, which presumably includes proper SSL certificate validation mechanisms. Network administrators should implement additional security controls such as network segmentation, firewall rules, and intrusion detection systems to limit the attack surface. The implementation of certificate pinning techniques within the application could provide additional protection layers against certificate forgery attempts. Organizations should also consider conducting security audits of their network infrastructure to identify other potential vulnerabilities that could be exploited in conjunction with this weakness. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK techniques related to credential access and defense evasion, as it enables attackers to bypass security controls and maintain persistent access to network resources through compromised router management interfaces.