CVE-2017-2734 in P9 Plus
Summary
by MITRE
P9 Plus smartphones with software versions earlier before VIE-AL10BC00B386 have a denial of service (DoS) vulnerability. An attacker tricks a user into installing a malicious application on the smart phone, and the application can send given parameter to specific interface, which make a large number of memory allocation and the smart phone will be crash for memory exhaustion.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/11/2023
The CVE-2017-2734 vulnerability affects Huawei P9 Plus smartphones running software versions prior to VIE-AL10BC00B386, representing a critical denial of service flaw that can be exploited through malicious application installation. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within specific application interfaces, creating a pathway for memory exhaustion attacks that ultimately result in device crashes. The flaw operates by leveraging a parameter manipulation technique where an attacker can craft malicious input that triggers excessive memory allocation within the device's operating system. The vulnerability specifically targets the smartphone's memory management subsystem, allowing an attacker to consume available system resources through repeated or large-scale memory allocation requests. This issue falls under CWE-400, which categorizes improper input validation as a fundamental weakness in software design that can lead to resource exhaustion attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple device instability, as it can be weaponized to create persistent denial of service conditions that render the affected smartphone unusable. When exploited, the malicious application can cause the device to crash repeatedly by exhausting available memory resources, effectively making the smartphone inoperable until a manual restart occurs. The vulnerability's exploitation requires social engineering to trick users into installing malicious applications, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users may not be security-aware. Attackers can leverage this flaw to create sustained service disruptions that impact both personal and business operations, especially in scenarios where the device serves critical functions. The memory exhaustion mechanism operates through the manipulation of specific application programming interfaces that do not properly validate input parameters, allowing attackers to send malformed data that triggers excessive memory allocation patterns.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which covers network denial of service attacks, and demonstrates how mobile device vulnerabilities can be exploited to create service disruption. The flaw represents a significant concern for enterprise mobile device management programs, as it can be used to compromise device availability and potentially disrupt business continuity. Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies including mandatory software updates to the patched VIE-AL10BC00B386 version, which addresses the input validation deficiencies in the affected interfaces. Additionally, mobile security policies should include application vetting procedures to prevent installation of untrusted applications that could exploit this vulnerability. The recommended remediation approach involves comprehensive device firmware updates, network monitoring for suspicious memory allocation patterns, and user education regarding the risks of installing applications from untrusted sources. Security teams should also consider implementing mobile threat defense solutions that can detect and prevent exploitation attempts targeting memory exhaustion vulnerabilities in mobile operating systems.