CVE-2017-17201 in Huawei
Summary
by MITRE
Some huawei smartphones with software BTV-DL09C233B350, Berlin-L21HNC432B360, Berlin-L22HNC636B360, Berlin-L24HNC567B360, Berlin-L21C10B130, Berlin-L21C185B132, Berlin-L21C464B130, Berlin-L22C346B140, Berlin-L22C636B160, Berlin-L23C605B131, Berlin-L23DOMC109B160, MHA-AL00AC00B125 have a DoS vulnerability. Due to insufficient input validation, an attacker could trick a user to execute a malicious application, which could be exploited by attacker to launch DoS attacks.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/08/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-17201 affects multiple Huawei smartphone models including various Berlin and MHA series devices. This issue represents a denial of service vulnerability that stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the affected software versions. The flaw manifests when users are tricked into executing malicious applications that exploit the insufficient validation checks, allowing attackers to launch denial of service attacks against the targeted devices. The vulnerability specifically impacts smartphones running software versions BTV-DL09C233B350, Berlin-L21HNC432B360, Berlin-L22HNC636B360, Berlin-L24HNC567B360, Berlin-L21C10B130, Berlin-L21C185B132, Berlin-L21C464B130, Berlin-L22C346B140, Berlin-L22C636B160, Berlin-L23C605B131, Berlin-L23DOMC109B160, and MHA-AL00AC00B125. The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic input validation weakness that allows malicious code execution through user interaction, creating a pathway for attackers to disrupt normal device operations. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-20 category of "Improper Input Validation" which is a fundamental security flaw that enables various attack vectors including denial of service conditions. The attack surface is particularly concerning as it leverages social engineering techniques to trick users into executing malicious applications, making it difficult to defend against through traditional network-based security measures. The vulnerability represents a significant risk to mobile device security as it can be exploited without requiring special privileges or authentication, making it accessible to a wide range of potential attackers.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise the overall usability and reliability of affected Huawei smartphones. When exploited, the denial of service attacks can render devices unusable or significantly impair their functionality, affecting critical communication capabilities and user productivity. The vulnerability's reliance on user interaction through malicious applications creates a challenging defense scenario where traditional network security measures provide limited protection. Attackers can exploit this weakness to cause persistent service disruptions, potentially leading to device crashes, application failures, or complete system unresponsiveness. The affected device models represent a substantial portion of Huawei's smartphone portfolio during the time of this vulnerability, amplifying the potential impact across multiple user bases and geographical regions. Security researchers have noted that such input validation flaws often serve as entry points for more sophisticated attacks, as they provide attackers with opportunities to establish footholds within device environments. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal technical expertise, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by attackers with varying skill levels.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-17201 should focus on immediate software updates and user education initiatives to address the root cause of the vulnerability. Huawei should prioritize releasing security patches for all affected software versions to remediate the insufficient input validation issues that enable the denial of service conditions. Organizations and individuals should implement strict application installation policies that prevent unauthorized or unverified applications from being executed on affected devices. Network administrators should consider implementing mobile device management solutions that can monitor and control application execution on corporate devices. The vulnerability highlights the importance of comprehensive input validation across all software components, particularly in mobile operating systems where user interaction with applications is frequent. Security teams should establish monitoring protocols to detect unusual application behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, users should be educated about the risks of installing applications from untrusted sources and the importance of keeping their devices updated with the latest security patches. The remediation process should include thorough testing of security updates to ensure that patches do not introduce compatibility issues or regressions in device functionality. Organizations implementing mobile device management policies should also consider isolating affected devices on separate network segments to limit potential lateral movement if exploitation occurs. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of secure coding practices and comprehensive security testing in mobile application development and device software maintenance. The attack pattern described aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, where attackers leverage mobile application execution to gain control over device operations.