CVE-2017-2726 in P10
Summary
by MITRE
Bastet in P10 Plus and P10 smart phones with software Eariler than VKY-AL00C00B123 verisons,Earlier than VTR-AL00C00B123 versions have a buffer overflow vulnerability. An attacker with the root privilege of an Android system may trick a user into installing a malicious APP. The APP can modify specific data to cause buffer overflow in the next system reboot, causing continuous system reboot or arbitrary code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/11/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-2726 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the Bastet component of certain Huawei P10 Plus and P10 smartphone models. This security weakness specifically affects devices running software versions prior to VKY-AL00C00B123 and VTR-AL00C00B123, creating a persistent threat vector that can be exploited through malicious application installation. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the Bastet system service, which is responsible for managing various system-level operations on these mobile devices.
The technical exploitation of this buffer overflow vulnerability occurs through a sophisticated attack chain that begins with an attacker leveraging existing root privileges on an Android system to deploy a malicious application. This malicious software is specifically designed to manipulate certain system data structures in a manner that triggers the buffer overflow condition during subsequent system reboot cycles. The flaw manifests as an improper handling of memory boundaries within the Bastet service, where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to write beyond allocated memory regions, potentially corrupting critical system components or executing arbitrary code with elevated privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system instability, creating a persistent threat that can result in continuous system reboots or complete system compromise. When the malicious application modifies the targeted data structures and the device undergoes reboot, the buffer overflow condition is triggered, causing the system to either enter an infinite reboot loop or execute unauthorized code sequences. This behavior aligns with attack patterns documented in the ATT&CK framework under the system service manipulation and privilege escalation techniques, where attackers leverage legitimate system components to achieve persistent access and control over mobile devices.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure coding practices and proper input validation within system-level services. The weakness represents a classic buffer overflow scenario classified under CWE-121, which addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and potentially CWE-122 for heap-based buffer overflows. The attack vector specifically targets the Android operating system's privilege model, where root-level access enables attackers to manipulate system components that should remain protected from unauthorized modification. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management strategies to address this vulnerability, as the affected devices represent a significant risk surface for enterprises and individuals who rely on these mobile platforms for sensitive operations.
The remediation approach for this vulnerability requires immediate software updates to the affected Huawei P10 Plus and P10 smartphone models, ensuring that all devices receive the necessary patches to address the buffer overflow conditions within the Bastet service. Additionally, security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments of their mobile device management systems to identify any other potential attack vectors that could be exploited in similar fashion, particularly focusing on the privilege escalation mechanisms that allow malicious applications to modify system-critical components. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining up-to-date mobile device security protocols and implementing robust application sandboxing measures to prevent unauthorized modification of system-level services that could lead to complete device compromise.