CVE-2017-2711 in P9 Plus
Summary
by MITRE
P9 Plus smartphones with software earlier than VIE-AL10C00B352 versions have an input validation vulnerability in the touchscreen Driver. An attacker can tricks a user into installing a malicious application on the smart phone, and send given parameter to smart phone to crash the system.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/11/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-2711 affects Huawei P9 Plus smartphones running software versions prior to VIE-AL10C00B352. This represents a critical input validation flaw within the touchscreen driver component of the device's operating system. The vulnerability stems from inadequate parameter sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly validate user input received through touchscreen interactions. According to CWE classification, this manifests as a weakness in input validation where the system does not adequately check or sanitize data received from external sources, creating potential attack vectors for malicious actors.
The exploitation scenario involves a sophisticated social engineering approach where attackers trick users into installing malicious applications on the affected devices. Once installed, these applications can manipulate the touchscreen driver by sending specifically crafted parameters that exploit the validation gap. The vulnerability allows for arbitrary code execution or system instability through the touchscreen input processing chain, which operates at a low level within the device's kernel space. This type of attack aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation, as the malicious input can potentially elevate system privileges or cause denial of service conditions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system crashes, as it represents a fundamental security weakness that could enable more sophisticated attacks. Mobile device security researchers have noted that touchscreen driver vulnerabilities often provide attackers with pathways to bypass traditional security controls, as these components typically operate with high privileges and direct hardware access. The vulnerability affects the core input handling mechanisms that are essential for normal device operation, potentially rendering the touchscreen unresponsive or causing complete system failure. This creates a significant risk for users who may unknowingly install malicious applications that exploit this weakness, particularly in environments where device security is paramount.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-2711 primarily focus on software updates and firmware patches that address the input validation issues within the touchscreen driver. Users should immediately update their devices to the patched versions, specifically VIE-AL10C00B352 or later, which contain the necessary security fixes. System administrators and security teams should implement comprehensive device management policies that enforce automatic security updates and monitor for vulnerable devices within their networks. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of application sandboxing and runtime protection mechanisms that can detect and prevent malicious parameter injection attempts. Organizations should consider implementing mobile threat defense solutions that can monitor for suspicious application behavior and touchscreen input anomalies that may indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, user awareness training should emphasize the risks of installing applications from untrusted sources, as this vulnerability requires user interaction for successful exploitation.