CVE-2016-4086 in HiSuite
Summary
by MITRE
Huawei HiSuite (In China) before 4.0.4.301 and (Out of China) before 4.0.4.204_ove allows remote attackers to install arbitrary apps on a connected phone via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/26/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-4086 affects Huawei HiSuite software versions prior to 4.0.4.301 for Chinese markets and 4.0.4.204_ove for international deployments. This represents a critical security flaw that enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary application installations on Huawei devices connected through the HiSuite interface. The vulnerability exists within the software's communication protocols and authentication mechanisms, creating an attack surface that adversaries can exploit without requiring physical access to the target device.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and authentication checks within the HiSuite application's device connection handling processes. Attackers can leverage unspecified vectors to establish unauthorized communication channels with connected Huawei devices, bypassing normal security controls that would typically prevent arbitrary application installation. This flaw operates at the application level within the device management framework, allowing malicious actors to inject and execute unauthorized software packages on target systems. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it fundamentally compromises the device's integrity and security posture through unauthorized software deployment.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to both individual users and enterprise environments. The ability to install arbitrary applications remotely undermines the fundamental security assumptions of mobile device management and creates persistent backdoors that can be exploited for data exfiltration, surveillance, or further attack escalation. The vulnerability affects a wide range of Huawei devices that rely on HiSuite for software updates, file transfers, and device management functions, making it particularly dangerous in environments where mobile devices handle sensitive information. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with attack patterns described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1195 technique for "Supply Chain Compromise" and T1059 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter" when considering the potential for persistent access and lateral movement.
The mitigation strategy for CVE-2016-4086 requires immediate software updates to the latest available versions of HiSuite, which include enhanced authentication mechanisms and improved input validation controls. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to devices running vulnerable HiSuite versions and establish monitoring procedures to detect unauthorized device connections. System administrators must disable unnecessary device management services and ensure that only trusted users have access to HiSuite functionality. Security controls should also include regular vulnerability assessments of mobile device management systems and implementation of device integrity monitoring to detect unauthorized application installations. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure development practices and proper authentication protocols as outlined in CWE-287, which addresses improper authentication issues. Additionally, this vulnerability highlights the need for comprehensive mobile device security policies that address both endpoint protection and management application security.