CVE-2017-2732 in Hilink App
Summary
by MITRE
Huawei Hilink APP Versions earlier before 5.0.25.306 has an information leak vulnerability. An attacker may trick a user into installing a malicious application and application can access Hilink APP data.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/11/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-2732 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within Huawei Hilink mobile applications prior to version 5.0.25.306. This security weakness stems from inadequate data protection mechanisms within the application's architecture, creating opportunities for unauthorized data access and potential exploitation. The vulnerability specifically affects the Huawei Hilink application ecosystem, which serves as a mobile interface for managing Huawei's networking equipment and services.
The technical implementation flaw involves insufficient access controls and data isolation mechanisms within the Hilink application framework. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by tricking users into installing malicious applications that leverage the information leak to access sensitive data stored within the Hilink application environment. This typically occurs through social engineering tactics that persuade users to download and install compromised applications that can bypass normal security boundaries. The vulnerability falls under CWE-200, which categorizes information exposure issues, and demonstrates poor separation of privileges that allows unauthorized access to application data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data leakage, as it can enable more sophisticated attack vectors including credential theft, network configuration data access, and potential lateral movement within network environments managed through Huawei Hilink applications. Organizations relying on Huawei networking equipment may experience compromised network security postures when users install malicious applications that exploit this information leak. The vulnerability particularly affects enterprise environments where Huawei networking solutions are deployed, as it could enable attackers to gain insights into network configurations, device management credentials, and other sensitive operational data.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate application updates to version 5.0.25.306 or later, which contain the necessary security patches addressing the information leak vulnerability. Network administrators should implement strict application installation policies that prevent unauthorized app installations, particularly on devices managing critical network infrastructure. Additionally, regular security awareness training for end users can help prevent successful social engineering attacks that exploit this vulnerability. The remediation process should include comprehensive application security reviews to identify similar privilege escalation or data exposure issues within the Huawei Hilink ecosystem. Organizations should also consider implementing network monitoring solutions to detect anomalous application behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and credential access, making it particularly concerning for enterprise security postures that rely on Huawei networking solutions for critical infrastructure management.