CVE-2017-15308 in iReader App
Summary
by MITRE
Huawei iReader app before 8.0.2.301 has an input validation vulnerability due to insufficient validation on the URL used for loading network data. An attacker can control app access and load malicious websites created by the attacker, and the code in webpages would be loaded and run.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/18/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-15308 represents a critical input validation flaw in Huawei's iReader mobile application ecosystem. This weakness stems from inadequate sanitization of Uniform Resource Locator inputs that the application uses to fetch network resources. The vulnerability exists within the application's network data loading mechanism, where the software fails to properly validate or sanitize URLs before executing network requests. The flaw allows malicious actors to manipulate the application's behavior by injecting crafted URLs that redirect the application to attacker-controlled web resources.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exposes the application to arbitrary code execution risks through web-based attacks. When the iReader application processes user-supplied or potentially manipulated URLs, it does not perform sufficient validation checks to ensure the legitimacy of the destination. This lack of input sanitization creates a pathway for attackers to craft malicious URLs that, when processed by the application, can load and execute arbitrary code from remote servers. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of web application security and mobile application security, where the application's trust model is compromised by insufficient validation controls.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for end users and organizations that rely on the Huawei iReader application for document management and reading services. Attackers can leverage this flaw to deliver malware payloads, conduct phishing attacks, or establish command and control channels through the application interface. The impact extends beyond simple data theft, as the execution of arbitrary code on affected devices can lead to full system compromise, data exfiltration, and persistent backdoor access. The vulnerability affects users across multiple device platforms that utilize the affected iReader application version.
The security implications of CVE-2017-15308 align with CWE-20, which describes improper input validation as a fundamental weakness in software security design. This vulnerability also maps to several ATT&CK tactics including initial access through malicious web content and execution via web-based payloads. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to Huawei iReader version 8.0.2.301 or later, which contains the necessary input validation patches. Additionally, network-level controls such as web application firewalls and URL filtering mechanisms can provide additional protection layers. Security teams should monitor for suspicious network traffic patterns and implement robust application sandboxing techniques to limit the potential impact of exploitation attempts.