CVE-2017-2709 in HiGame
Summary
by MITRE
HiGame with software earlier than 7.3.0 versions, SkyTone with software earlier than 8.1.1 versions have a DoS Vulnerability. An attacker tricks a user into installing a malicious application on the smart phone, the attacker can send malformed packets to the device. Due to the lack of adequate input validation of APPs, which causes the APPs Denial of Service.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/11/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-2709 represents a critical denial of service flaw affecting specific versions of HiGame and SkyTone mobile applications. This weakness resides in the insufficient input validation mechanisms within these applications, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by malicious actors to disrupt normal device operations. The vulnerability specifically impacts HiGame software versions prior to 7.3.0 and SkyTone software versions prior to 8.1.1, indicating a targeted scope that affects users of these particular mobile platforms.
The attack vector for this vulnerability involves a sophisticated social engineering approach where an attacker must first convince a user to install a malicious application on their smartphone. This initial compromise establishes the foundation for the subsequent exploitation phase. Once the malicious application is installed, the attacker can transmit malformed network packets directly to the vulnerable device, exploiting the inadequate input validation controls that should normally filter and sanitize all incoming data. This attack model aligns with the common pattern of privilege escalation through application-level compromise, where initial access through social engineering leads to more serious security consequences.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the absence of proper data validation procedures within the affected applications. When these applications receive network packets, they fail to adequately verify the integrity and format of the incoming data before processing it. This lack of input sanitization creates an environment where malformed packets can cause the application to crash or become unresponsive, resulting in a denial of service condition that affects the user's ability to utilize the affected application normally. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and demonstrates poor defensive programming practices that should be addressed through robust input validation mechanisms.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant security risks for affected users, as it can render critical mobile applications unusable and potentially compromise the overall device functionality. The denial of service condition affects user experience and can be particularly problematic if the affected applications are essential for communication, productivity, or security-related functions. The vulnerability also represents a potential gateway for more sophisticated attacks, as the compromised applications may provide attackers with opportunities to escalate privileges or access additional system resources. This weakness contributes to the broader category of application-level vulnerabilities that can undermine mobile device security and user trust.
The mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate software updates and patches from the affected vendors to address the input validation deficiencies. Users should promptly upgrade their HiGame and SkyTone applications to versions 7.3.0 and 8.1.1 respectively, which contain the necessary fixes for this vulnerability. System administrators and security professionals should also implement network monitoring to detect and prevent the transmission of malformed packets that could exploit this vulnerability. The remediation efforts should include comprehensive code reviews to ensure proper input validation practices are implemented across all application components. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which addresses "Improper Input Validation" and represents a classic example of how insufficient data sanitization can lead to serious security consequences. The attack pattern follows typical adversary tactics documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under application layer attacks and privilege escalation techniques. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies and network segmentation to limit the potential impact of such vulnerabilities. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing robust software development practices that prioritize input validation and data sanitization as fundamental security controls.