CVE-2017-2739 in Vmall App
Summary
by MITRE
The upgrade package of Huawei Vmall APP Earlier than HwVmall 1.5.3.0 versions is transferred through HTTP. A man in the middle (MITM) can tamper with the upgrade package of Huawei Vmall APP, and to implant the malicious applications.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/11/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-2739 represents a critical security flaw in Huawei Vmall application upgrade mechanisms affecting versions prior to 1.5.3.0. This weakness stems from the use of unencrypted HTTP protocol for transferring upgrade packages, creating a significant attack surface that adversaries can exploit to compromise user devices. The vulnerability directly impacts the integrity and authenticity of software updates, undermining the fundamental security principles of secure software distribution. According to CWE classification, this corresponds to CWE-319 - Cleartext Transmission of Sensitive Information, which specifically addresses the transmission of sensitive data over unencrypted channels. The attack vector leverages man-in-the-middle techniques that align with ATT&CK tactic T1071.004 - Application Layer Protocol: DNS, where attackers can intercept and modify network traffic to inject malicious content.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when users attempt to update the Huawei Vmall application through networks that may be compromised or controlled by adversaries. The HTTP protocol used for upgrade package transmission lacks encryption and authentication mechanisms, making it susceptible to interception and modification by malicious actors positioned between the user device and the update server. This attack scenario is particularly dangerous because it targets the update process itself, which users typically trust implicitly as a legitimate mechanism for obtaining software improvements. The compromised upgrade packages can contain malicious applications that are installed without user knowledge or consent, potentially leading to full device compromise. The vulnerability is classified as a downgrade attack vector where legitimate update mechanisms are subverted to deliver malicious payloads, representing a sophisticated exploitation technique that bypasses traditional security controls.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-2739 extends beyond simple malware injection to encompass potential full system compromise and data exfiltration capabilities. When malicious applications are installed through compromised upgrade packages, they can establish persistent backdoors, monitor user activities, steal sensitive information, and potentially spread to other connected devices. The vulnerability affects not only individual users but also enterprise environments where Huawei Vmall applications might be used for business-critical operations. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to create supply chain attacks, where the legitimate update mechanism becomes the vector for delivering malware to multiple targets simultaneously. The compromise of application update mechanisms also undermines user trust in the software ecosystem and can lead to significant reputational damage for Huawei as a security provider. Organizations should consider this vulnerability in their risk assessments as it represents a fundamental failure in secure software delivery practices that can be exploited for advanced persistent threats.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-2739 require immediate implementation of secure communication protocols and comprehensive patch management procedures. Organizations must upgrade to Huawei Vmall versions 1.5.3.0 or later where HTTPS encryption is implemented for upgrade package transmission. The implementation of certificate pinning and strict certificate validation should be enforced to prevent certificate substitution attacks. Network administrators should deploy intrusion detection systems to monitor for unusual upgrade traffic patterns and implement network segmentation to limit the attack surface. Additionally, users should be educated about the importance of verifying update sources and avoiding untrusted networks when performing application updates. The vulnerability highlights the critical need for secure software distribution practices and proper implementation of transport layer security as outlined in NIST SP 800-52 guidelines for secure communication protocols. Regular security audits should be conducted to ensure that all application update mechanisms employ encrypted channels and proper authentication mechanisms to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced in future software releases.