CVE-2016-8792 in Mate 8
Summary
by MITRE
Huawei Mate 8 phones with software Versions before NXT-AL10C00B386, Versions before NXT-CL00C92B386, Versions before NXT-DL00C17B386, Versions before NXT-TL00C01B386; Mate S phones with software Versions before CRR-CL00C92B368, Versions before CRR-CL20C92B368, Versions before CRR-TL00C01B368, Versions before CRR-UL00C00B368, Versions before CRR-UL20C00B368; and P8 phones with software Versions before GRA-TL00C01B366, Versions before GRA-CL00C92B366, Versions before GRA-CL10C92B366, Versions before GRA-UL00C00B366, Versions before GRA-UL10C00B366 allow attackers with graphic or Camera privilege to crash the system or escalate privilege.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/24/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-8792 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw affecting multiple Huawei smartphone models including the Mate 8, Mate S, and P8 series. This security weakness stems from insufficient privilege checking mechanisms within the device's camera and graphics subsystems, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit system integrity. The vulnerability specifically impacts software versions prior to designated build numbers across various device models, indicating a widespread issue affecting Huawei's Android-based mobile platforms. The flaw allows attackers with access to camera or graphics privileges to either crash the system entirely or escalate their privileges to gain elevated system access, fundamentally compromising device security.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in improper privilege validation within the mobile operating system's graphics and camera components. When applications or processes attempt to access these system resources, the underlying security mechanisms fail to properly verify whether the requesting entity possesses sufficient privileges to perform the requested operations. This weakness creates a privilege escalation vector that can be exploited through carefully crafted malicious code or compromised applications. The vulnerability demonstrates poor adherence to security principles such as least privilege enforcement and proper access control validation, which are fundamental requirements in secure system design. From a cybersecurity perspective, this issue represents a classic example of insufficient input validation and privilege checking that can be classified under CWE-276, which deals with improper privilege management.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-8792 extends beyond simple system instability to potentially enable full device compromise. An attacker who gains access to camera or graphics privileges can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges, effectively bypassing the normal security boundaries of the mobile operating system. This capability allows for persistent malware installation, data exfiltration, and complete system control. The vulnerability affects a broad range of Huawei devices, making it particularly concerning from a threat landscape perspective. The affected devices operate across multiple software versions and hardware platforms, indicating that the flaw is likely embedded in the core system architecture rather than being a localized issue. This widespread impact increases the potential attack surface and makes the vulnerability particularly attractive to threat actors seeking to exploit mobile devices at scale.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-8792 primarily focus on software updates and system hardening measures. Huawei released patches addressing this vulnerability in subsequent software versions, making timely updates essential for device security. Users should immediately install available security updates for their affected Huawei devices, particularly those targeting the specific software build numbers mentioned in the vulnerability description. System administrators and security professionals should implement strict application control policies, limiting access to camera and graphics APIs for untrusted applications. Additionally, device manufacturers should adopt more rigorous security testing procedures, including privilege validation checks and access control reviews, to prevent similar issues in future releases. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following security frameworks such as the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and implementing defense-in-depth strategies that include runtime monitoring and anomaly detection for mobile platforms. Organizations should also consider implementing mobile device management solutions that can enforce security policies and automatically deploy patches to vulnerable devices.