CVE-2017-17320 in Mate 9 Pro
Summary
by MITRE
Huawei Mate 9 Pro smartphones with software of LON-AL00BC00B139D, LON-AL00BC00B229, LON-L29DC721B188 have a memory double free vulnerability. The system does not manage the memory properly, that frees on the same memory address twice. An attacker tricks the user who has root privilege to install a crafted application, successful exploit could result in malicious code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/22/2023
The CVE-2017-17320 vulnerability represents a critical memory management flaw in Huawei Mate 9 Pro smartphones running specific software versions including LON-AL00BC00B139D, LON-AL00BC00B229, and LON-L29DC721B188. This double free vulnerability stems from improper memory handling within the device's operating system, creating a scenario where the same memory address is freed twice during program execution. The vulnerability falls under CWE-415, which specifically addresses double free conditions in memory management, making it a classic example of memory corruption that can lead to severe security implications. The flaw exists at the system level, affecting the underlying kernel or system libraries that manage memory allocation and deallocation processes.
The exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to gain root privileges on the device and convince a user to install a malicious application. This social engineering component is crucial because the vulnerability itself cannot be triggered remotely without elevated privileges. Once installed, the malicious application can manipulate the memory management system to force the same memory block to be freed twice, potentially leading to memory corruption that allows arbitrary code execution. The attack vector demonstrates how vulnerabilities in system-level memory management can be leveraged through application-level exploitation, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for application execution and T1068 for local privilege escalation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with a pathway to achieve persistent access and control over the affected device. Memory corruption vulnerabilities like this one can be exploited to bypass security mechanisms, escalate privileges, and potentially enable further attacks such as data exfiltration or device takeover. The vulnerability affects not just individual users but also enterprise environments where mobile device management systems may be compromised, as the root access required for exploitation indicates that the device's security model has been breached. This type of vulnerability is particularly concerning in mobile environments where devices often contain sensitive corporate data and personal information.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-17320 should focus on both immediate remediation and long-term security improvements. The primary solution involves updating the affected Huawei devices to software versions that address the memory management flaw, which Huawei would need to provide through official firmware updates. System administrators should implement strict application whitelisting policies to prevent unauthorized applications from being installed, as this vulnerability requires user interaction to exploit. Additionally, regular security audits of mobile device management systems should be conducted to identify and patch similar memory corruption vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing mobile threat defense solutions that can detect anomalous memory behavior patterns indicative of double free conditions, providing an additional layer of protection against such exploits. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices and memory management validation in mobile operating systems, emphasizing that even system-level components must undergo rigorous security testing to prevent exploitation through memory corruption attacks.