CVE-2016-6826 in AnyMail
Summary
by MITRE
Huawei AnyMail before 2.6.0301.0060 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) via a crafted compressed email attachment.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/21/2022
Huawei AnyMail is a mobile email client application designed for android devices that provides secure email communication capabilities. The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-6826 affects versions prior to 2.6.0301.0060 and represents a denial of service flaw that can be exploited by remote attackers through the manipulation of email attachments. This vulnerability specifically targets the application's handling of compressed email attachments, creating a condition where maliciously crafted compressed files can trigger an application crash.
The technical flaw stems from inadequate input validation and error handling within the email client's decompression routine. When the application encounters a crafted compressed attachment, it fails to properly validate the file structure or implement robust error handling mechanisms during the decompression process. This weakness allows attackers to construct specially formatted compressed files that, when processed by the vulnerable AnyMail client, cause the application to terminate unexpectedly. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and does not require authentication or elevated privileges to exploit, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered through normal email reception processes.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption. When exploited, the denial of service condition can affect user productivity by rendering the email application unusable until manually restarted. In enterprise environments where Huawei AnyMail is deployed across multiple devices, this vulnerability could lead to widespread communication disruption. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it can be delivered through standard email channels without requiring user interaction beyond opening the email, making it an effective means for attackers to disrupt communication services. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which addresses improper validation of input boundaries, and reflects the broader category of buffer overflow and memory corruption issues that have plagued mobile email applications.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate deployment of the patched version 2.6.0301.0060 or later, which implements proper input validation and error handling for compressed attachments. Organizations should also consider implementing email filtering mechanisms that scan for suspicious compressed file types or sizes before delivery to end users. Network administrators should monitor for unusual email traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. From a defensive perspective, this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of implementing secure coding practices such as those recommended in the OWASP Mobile Security Project, particularly regarding input validation and proper error handling in mobile applications. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under the 'Execution' phase, where adversaries leverage application flaws to cause system instability. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be implemented to identify similar weaknesses in other mobile email clients and applications within the organization's attack surface.