CVE-2017-17224 in Smart Phone
Summary
by MITRE
Some Huawei smart phones with versions earlier than Harry-AL00C 9.1.0.206(C00E205R3P1) have a null pointer dereference vulnerability. An attacker crafts specific packets and sends to the affected product to exploit this vulnerability. Successful exploitation may cause the affected phone abnormal.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/13/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-17224 represents a critical null pointer dereference flaw affecting certain Huawei smartphone models, specifically those running firmware versions prior to Harry-AL00C 9.1.0.206(C00E205R3P1). This vulnerability resides within the network protocol stack of these mobile devices, creating a pathway for remote code execution through carefully crafted network packets. The flaw manifests when the device processes malformed or specially constructed network traffic, leading to a scenario where the system attempts to access a null memory pointer, resulting in system instability and potential complete device failure. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-476 category of Null Pointer Dereference, which is classified as a fundamental programming error that can lead to system crashes, denial of service conditions, and in some cases, more severe security implications depending on the execution context.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through network-based attacks where malicious actors craft specific packet structures designed to trigger the null pointer dereference condition within the affected Huawei smartphone's network processing components. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it operates at the network protocol level, meaning that an attacker could potentially exploit this vulnerability without physical access to the device or any form of authentication. When the vulnerable device receives these crafted packets, the system's memory management routines fail to properly validate pointer references, causing the device to crash or behave abnormally. This behavior can manifest as complete system shutdown, application crashes, or more subtle operational disruptions that may persist until the device is manually restarted, creating a potential denial of service condition for the end user.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to both individual users and enterprise environments that may deploy these affected Huawei devices. The abnormal behavior resulting from successful exploitation can compromise the device's network connectivity, rendering it unusable for communication purposes and potentially exposing sensitive data stored on the device. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that threat actors could potentially target users without their knowledge, making it particularly dangerous in environments where mobile devices handle confidential information or serve as primary communication channels. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, as the exploitation could potentially lead to privilege escalation or lateral movement within network environments where these devices operate. Organizations using affected Huawei smartphones should consider the potential for persistent denial of service conditions that could impact business continuity, especially in scenarios where these devices serve critical operational functions.
The recommended mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-17224 primarily focus on firmware updates provided by Huawei, which address the underlying null pointer dereference issue through proper pointer validation and memory management routines. Users should immediately install the latest firmware updates available for their specific device models, particularly upgrading to Harry-AL00C 9.1.0.206(C00E205R3P1) or later versions that contain the necessary security patches. Network administrators should implement monitoring solutions to detect unusual network traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, while also maintaining awareness of the specific packet signatures that could trigger this vulnerability. Additionally, organizations should consider network segmentation strategies to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts, and implement endpoint protection measures that can detect and prevent the execution of malicious network traffic targeting these specific vulnerabilities. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of regular security updates and proper memory management practices in mobile device operating systems, as highlighted by industry standards such as the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and ISO 27001 security controls for information security management.