CVE-2017-2731 in P9 Plus
Summary
by MITRE
The vibrator service in P9 Plus smart phones with software versions earlier before VIE-AL10C00B386 has DoS vulnerability. An attacker can tricks a user into installing a malicious application on the smart phone, and send given parameter to smart phone vibrator service interface to crash the system.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/11/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-2731 represents a denial of service flaw within the vibrator service component of Huawei P9 Plus smartphones. This weakness specifically affects devices running software versions prior to VIE-AL10C00B386, creating a significant security risk for affected users. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within the vibrator service interface, which fails to properly sanitize or validate parameters received from external applications. This lack of proper parameter validation creates an exploitable condition where malicious actors can craft specific inputs designed to trigger system instability.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability operates through a classic buffer overflow or parameter manipulation attack vector. When a malicious application attempts to interact with the vibrator service by sending crafted parameters, the system processes these inputs without adequate sanitization checks. This processing failure leads to memory corruption or service exhaustion conditions that ultimately result in system crash or complete denial of service. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation practices that align with CWE-20, which describes improper input validation as a fundamental weakness in software security design. Attackers can leverage this flaw by tricking users into installing malicious applications that automatically attempt to exploit the vulnerable interface.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-2731 extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise user device functionality and security posture. When exploited, the vulnerability can render the affected smartphone temporarily unusable, forcing users to restart their devices or potentially requiring factory resets. This denial of service condition creates opportunities for attackers to disrupt user productivity and may serve as a precursor to more sophisticated attacks targeting the device's broader security framework. The vulnerability particularly affects users of Huawei P9 Plus devices in regions where the affected software versions were deployed, creating a significant attack surface for threat actors targeting this specific hardware platform. The attack vector relies on social engineering tactics to convince users to install malicious applications, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users may not be security-aware.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-2731 primarily focus on software updates and user education. Huawei has addressed this vulnerability through firmware updates that implement proper input validation and parameter sanitization within the vibrator service component. Users should immediately install the latest software patches available for their Huawei P9 Plus devices to remediate this vulnerability. Security administrators should also implement application whitelisting policies to prevent installation of untrusted applications that could exploit this flaw. From a defensive perspective, the vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices and input validation mechanisms that align with industry standards such as those recommended in the OWASP Top Ten. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under the Tactic of Defense Evasion, where adversaries may use system-level exploits to disrupt normal device operations. Organizations should also consider network-level monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts and implement device management policies that enforce automatic security updates to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities.