CVE-2017-2728 in Honor 6X
Summary
by MITRE
Some HHuawei mobile phones Honor 6X Berlin-L22C636B150 and earlier versions have a Bluetooth unlock bypassing vulnerability. If a user has enabled the smart unlock function, an attacker can impersonate the user's Bluetooth device to unlock the user's mobile phone screen.uawei mobile phones have a Bluetooth unlock bypassing vulnerability due to the lack of validation on Bluetooth devices. If a user has enabled the smart unlock function, an attacker can impersonate the user's Bluetooth device to unlock the user's mobile phone screen.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/11/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-2728 represents a critical security flaw in certain Huawei mobile devices, specifically the Honor 6X model running Berlin-L22C636B150 and earlier firmware versions. This vulnerability exploits the Bluetooth smart unlock feature that allows users to automatically unlock their devices when they are in proximity to trusted Bluetooth devices. The flaw stems from insufficient authentication mechanisms that fail to properly validate the legitimacy of Bluetooth connections, creating a significant security risk for users who rely on this convenience feature.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability lies in the Bluetooth device pairing and authentication process within the Android-based Huawei operating system. When users enable smart unlock functionality, the device maintains a list of trusted Bluetooth devices that can automatically unlock the phone without requiring traditional PIN, pattern, or biometric authentication. However, the system does not adequately verify that the connecting Bluetooth device is genuinely authorized, allowing attackers to perform Bluetooth device impersonation attacks. This weakness manifests through the absence of proper device identity verification and connection integrity checks, which are fundamental security requirements according to CWE-287, which addresses authentication failures in software systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it provides attackers with complete control over compromised devices. An attacker positioned within Bluetooth range can exploit this weakness to gain unauthorized access to personal data, applications, and system functions without requiring physical possession of the device or knowledge of the user's lock screen credentials. This vulnerability particularly affects users who store sensitive information on their mobile devices, including financial data, personal communications, and corporate information. The attack vector is relatively simple and accessible, requiring only basic Bluetooth capabilities and minimal technical expertise to execute successfully. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1077.002 which covers "T1077.002 - T1077.002: Wireless Application Protocol" and T1546.006 which addresses "T1546.006: System Scripting" as it involves unauthorized device access through legitimate wireless protocols.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on both immediate user actions and system-level improvements. Users should disable the smart unlock feature until a firmware update is available, as this effectively neutralizes the attack vector. Organizations implementing mobile device management policies should consider disabling Bluetooth smart unlock functionality across enterprise devices and implementing additional authentication layers. The firmware update process should include enhanced Bluetooth device verification mechanisms, proper connection state validation, and implementation of secure device pairing protocols. Security professionals should also consider network-level monitoring to detect suspicious Bluetooth connection patterns and implement device integrity checks that validate the authenticity of connected devices. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper authentication design and the need for robust validation mechanisms in wireless communication protocols, aligning with security best practices outlined in NIST SP 800-63B for authentication framework implementation.