CVE-2016-5230 in Mate8
Summary
by MITRE
Huawei Mate8 NXT-AL before NXT-AL10C00B182, NXT-CL before NXT-CL00C92B182, NXT-DL before NXT-DL00C17B182, and NXT-TL before NXT-TL00C01B182 allows attackers to bypass permission checks and control partial module functions via a crafted app.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/26/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-5230 affects Huawei Mate8 devices running specific firmware versions including NXT-AL10C00B182, NXT-CL00C92B182, NXT-DL00C17B182, and NXT-TL00C01B182. This represents a critical permission bypass flaw that undermines the device's security model by allowing malicious applications to gain unauthorized access to partial module functions. The vulnerability stems from insufficient validation mechanisms within the device's operating system that fail to properly enforce access controls for sensitive system components.
This security weakness constitutes a privilege escalation vulnerability classified under CWE-284 which specifically addresses improper access control issues in software systems. The flaw enables attackers to craft malicious applications that can circumvent the normal permission checking mechanisms that typically restrict access to system modules and functions. The affected Huawei devices operate under a security model that should prevent unauthorized applications from accessing critical system components, yet this vulnerability allows adversaries to bypass these protective measures entirely.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it provides attackers with the capability to control partial module functions within the device's operating system. This means that malicious actors could potentially manipulate system services, access sensitive data, or interfere with device operations without proper authorization. The affected modules likely include system-level components that handle device functions, communication protocols, or security-related services that are normally restricted to authorized system processes.
From an attack perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation' and T1059 which addresses 'Command and Scripting Interpreter' as attackers could leverage this flaw to execute unauthorized commands or scripts. The vulnerability essentially creates a backdoor pathway that allows malicious applications to operate with elevated privileges, potentially leading to complete device compromise or data exfiltration.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate firmware updates from Huawei to address the permission checking flaws in the affected device models. Organizations and users should implement strict application vetting processes and avoid installing untrusted applications that could exploit this vulnerability. Network monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect anomalous behavior patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, device administrators should consider implementing mobile device management solutions that can enforce stricter security policies and application control measures to prevent unauthorized access to system modules. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper access control implementation and demonstrates how insufficient validation mechanisms can lead to critical security breaches in mobile operating systems.