CVE-2017-17307 in Smart Phone
Summary
by MITRE
Some Huawei Smartphones with software of VNS-L21AUTC555B141 have an out-of-bounds read vulnerability. Due to the lack string terminator of string, an attacker tricks a user into installing a malicious application, and the application can exploit the vulnerability and make attacker to read out of bounds and possibly cause the device abnormal.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/22/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-17307 affects specific Huawei smartphone models running software version VNS-L21AUTC555B141, representing a critical out-of-bounds read flaw that exposes the device to potential exploitation. This vulnerability stems from insufficient string termination handling within the affected software implementation, creating a memory access violation that can be leveraged by malicious actors. The flaw manifests when a malicious application is installed on the device, exploiting the improper string handling to execute unauthorized memory reads beyond allocated boundaries. Such out-of-bounds memory access represents a fundamental security weakness that aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions in software implementations. The vulnerability operates at the application level, where the malicious software can manipulate string processing functions to traverse memory segments that should remain protected, potentially exposing sensitive data or causing system instability.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as it can lead to complete device compromise through a carefully crafted malicious application installation. Attackers can exploit the vulnerability by luring users into downloading and installing applications that contain malicious code designed to trigger the out-of-bounds read condition. This type of exploitation falls under the ATT&CK technique T1068, which involves local privilege escalation through application execution, and demonstrates how seemingly benign user interactions can lead to serious security breaches. The vulnerability's potential for causing device abnormality suggests it could be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks including system crashes, data corruption, or even privilege escalation within the device's operating environment. The specific software version mentioned indicates this is likely a firmware-level issue that affects the device's core operating system components rather than just third-party applications.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-17307 should prioritize immediate software updates from Huawei to address the underlying out-of-bounds read vulnerability in the affected firmware versions. Users should avoid installing applications from untrusted sources and maintain current security patches to prevent exploitation attempts. Security professionals should implement monitoring for suspicious application installations and network traffic patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's classification as an out-of-bounds read condition makes it particularly susceptible to exploitation through buffer overflow techniques, requiring defensive programming practices that include proper string termination checks and bounds validation. Organizations should consider implementing mobile device management solutions that can enforce security policies and prevent installation of potentially malicious applications. Additionally, the vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices, particularly in embedded systems where memory management errors can have severe consequences, aligning with industry standards that emphasize proper input validation and memory boundary checking to prevent such exploitable conditions.