CVE-2016-5231 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 delete user data via a crafted app.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/26/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-5231 affects multiple Huawei Mate8 device models 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 execute unauthorized data deletion operations. The vulnerability specifically targets the Android-based operating system implementation on these devices, exploiting weaknesses in the permission verification mechanisms that should normally prevent third-party applications from accessing sensitive system functions.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the crafting of a malicious application that can circumvent the standard Android permission model. This flaw allows attackers to escalate privileges from regular application level access to system-level operations, enabling them to delete user data without proper authorization. The vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of permission requests and inadequate enforcement of access controls within the device's operating system framework. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-284 which describes improper access control issues, specifically where an application or system fails to properly enforce access restrictions.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-5231 extends beyond simple data loss scenarios, as it represents a fundamental breakdown in the device's security architecture that could enable more sophisticated attacks. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to target user data including personal files, photos, documents, and other sensitive information stored on the device. The implications are particularly severe given that these devices were consumer-grade smartphones with extensive personal data storage capabilities. This vulnerability creates opportunities for data exfiltration, device compromise, and potential identity theft scenarios, as the attacker can not only delete but potentially access or modify other user data through the bypassed permissions.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate firmware updates from Huawei to address the permission bypass mechanism. Users should ensure their devices are running the latest available security patches that correct the access control implementation. System administrators and security professionals should implement mobile device management solutions that can monitor for suspicious application behavior and enforce strict application approval processes. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper application sandboxing and privilege separation within mobile operating systems. Organizations should consider implementing additional security controls such as application whitelisting, regular security audits, and user education about the risks of installing untrusted applications. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques involving privilege escalation and persistence, specifically targeting the 'Abuse Elevation of Privilege' and 'Data Destruction' tactics that threat actors commonly employ to compromise mobile devices.