CVE-2016-5367 in Honor WS851
Summary
by MITRE
Huawei Honor WS851 routers with software 1.1.21.1 and earlier allow remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via unspecified vectors, aka HWPSIRT-2016-05053.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/24/2019
The Huawei Honor WS851 router represents a significant security vulnerability classified as CVE-2016-5367, where remote attackers can exploit unspecified vectors to obtain sensitive information from devices running firmware versions 1.1.21.1 and earlier. This vulnerability falls under the broader category of information disclosure flaws that can compromise the confidentiality of network devices. The affected router model operates as a wireless access point and broadband router, serving as a critical entry point for home and small office networks, making the exposure of sensitive data particularly concerning from a cybersecurity perspective. The vulnerability identifier HWPSIRT-2016-05053 suggests this issue was recognized and tracked by Huawei's Product Security Incident Response Team, indicating the severity and potential impact on their customer base.
The technical nature of this vulnerability involves unspecified attack vectors that enable remote information disclosure, which aligns with CWE-200, the weakness category for exposure of sensitive information to an unauthorized actor. Such vulnerabilities typically arise from improper access control mechanisms, inadequate input validation, or flawed privilege management within network device firmware. The unspecified nature of the vectors suggests that multiple attack paths may exist, potentially including manipulation of API endpoints, exploitation of insecure configuration parameters, or unauthorized access to system files through web interfaces or network services. The router's web-based management interface likely serves as a primary attack surface where authentication bypasses or privilege escalation mechanisms may have been implemented incorrectly, allowing unauthenticated users to access system information that should remain restricted to authorized administrators.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as it can lead to comprehensive network reconnaissance and subsequent attacks on connected devices. When attackers gain access to sensitive information from the router, they can potentially discover network topology details, administrative credentials, configuration parameters, or other system information that enables further exploitation. This information disclosure creates opportunities for attackers to map network infrastructure, identify vulnerable services, or craft more sophisticated attacks targeting other devices within the same network segment. The vulnerability affects a specific firmware version range, suggesting that Huawei had already identified and potentially patched the issue in later releases, but legacy deployments remained at risk. Organizations using affected routers face increased exposure to man-in-the-middle attacks, network infiltration attempts, and potential data breaches that could compromise the entire network ecosystem.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-5367 should prioritize immediate firmware updates to versions that address the information disclosure vulnerability, as recommended by Huawei security advisories and the broader cybersecurity community. Network administrators must conduct comprehensive inventory assessments to identify all affected Huawei Honor WS851 routers within their environments and implement mandatory firmware upgrade procedures. Additional protective measures include network segmentation to limit access to critical systems, implementation of intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious network activity, and regular security audits to identify potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's classification as an information disclosure issue aligns with ATT&CK technique T1082, which focuses on system information discovery, making it essential for organizations to monitor for reconnaissance activities that may indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider implementing network access controls and firewall rules to restrict access to router management interfaces from untrusted networks, while maintaining detailed logging of all administrative activities for forensic analysis purposes.