CVE-2016-6193 in Huawei
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in the Wi-Fi driver in Huawei P8 smartphones with software before GRA-CL00C92B363 allows attackers to cause a denial of service (system crash) or gain privileges via a crafted application, a different vulnerability than CVE-2016-6192.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/09/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-6193 represents a critical buffer overflow condition within the Wi-Fi driver component of Huawei P8 smartphones running firmware versions prior to GRA-CL00C92B363. This flaw exists in the kernel-level networking stack that manages wireless communication protocols, specifically affecting the device's ability to process malformed Wi-Fi frames or network packets. The buffer overflow occurs when the Wi-Fi driver fails to properly validate input data length before copying it into fixed-size memory buffers, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate memory contents through crafted applications.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability leverages the fundamental principle of buffer overflow attacks where malicious input exceeds the allocated buffer capacity, causing memory corruption that can lead to arbitrary code execution or system instability. Attackers can craft specially designed applications that trigger the vulnerable Wi-Fi driver code path, potentially executing code with elevated privileges due to the driver running in kernel space. This privilege escalation capability stems from the fact that Wi-Fi drivers typically operate with high-level system permissions to manage network interfaces and hardware resources directly. The vulnerability differs from CVE-2016-6192 in that it specifically targets the Wi-Fi driver component rather than other system components, making it a distinct attack surface that requires separate mitigation strategies.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant security risks for affected Huawei P8 devices, as it can be exploited to cause system crashes or enable unauthorized privilege escalation. The denial of service aspect renders devices unreliable and potentially unusable, while the privilege escalation capability allows attackers to gain root access to the device. This could enable full system compromise including data theft, persistent backdoor installation, and complete device control. The attack vector through crafted applications makes this particularly dangerous as users might unknowingly install malicious software from legitimate app stores or through social engineering campaigns. The vulnerability affects a specific hardware platform and firmware version, indicating targeted exploitation potential for attackers with knowledge of the affected device models.
Security mitigations for CVE-2016-6193 primarily involve firmware updates from Huawei that address the buffer overflow in the Wi-Fi driver component. System administrators and users should ensure all affected devices receive the GRA-CL00C92B363 firmware update or later versions that contain the necessary patches. Network security teams should implement monitoring for suspicious Wi-Fi traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, particularly focusing on malformed packets that could trigger the vulnerable driver code. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and could potentially map to ATT&CK technique T1068, which involves exploiting legitimate credentials and privileges for system access. Organizations should also consider implementing device isolation measures and network segmentation to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts, particularly in enterprise environments where these devices may be used for sensitive operations.