CVE-2017-17280 in Huawei
Summary
by MITRE
NFC (Near Field Communication) module in Huawei mobile phones with software LON-AL00BC00 has an information leak vulnerability. The attacker has to trick a user to do some specific operations and then craft the NFC message to exploit this vulnerability. Successful exploit will cause some information leak.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/21/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-17280 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within the Near Field Communication module of Huawei mobile devices running software version LON-AL00BC00. This vulnerability specifically affects the NFC hardware and software stack, creating a potential attack vector that could compromise user data confidentiality. The flaw manifests as an information leak that occurs when the NFC subsystem processes maliciously crafted messages, potentially exposing sensitive data stored on or accessible through the device.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and proper access control mechanisms within the NFC processing pipeline. When a user interacts with a specially crafted NFC message, the system fails to properly sanitize or validate the incoming data before processing it through the NFC module. This inadequate validation allows malicious actors to potentially extract information from the device's memory, storage, or communication channels that should remain protected. The vulnerability operates at the application layer where NFC services interact with the operating system, creating a pathway for unauthorized information disclosure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as it creates opportunities for attackers to gather sensitive user information that could be leveraged for further attacks. The requirement for user interaction through specific operations suggests this vulnerability may be exploited through social engineering tactics, where attackers convince users to approach NFC-enabled devices with maliciously crafted messages. This information leak could potentially expose device identifiers, user credentials, communication logs, or other sensitive data that could compromise user privacy and security. The attack vector specifically targets the NFC communication protocol stack, making it particularly concerning for devices that frequently interact with other NFC-enabled systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-17280 should focus on both immediate defensive measures and long-term architectural improvements. Users should be advised to disable NFC functionality when not actively using it, particularly in environments where physical security cannot be guaranteed. Device manufacturers should implement proper input validation controls within the NFC processing framework to prevent unauthorized data access during message handling. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which describes improper input validation, and could be classified under ATT&CK technique T1059 for execution through communication protocols. Security updates should include enhanced access controls and memory protection mechanisms within the NFC subsystem to prevent information disclosure. Organizations should also consider implementing network monitoring to detect unusual NFC communication patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of comprehensive security testing for mobile platform components, particularly those that handle external communication protocols and user interaction scenarios.