CVE-2017-8173 in Maya-L02
Summary
by MITRE
Maya-L02,VKY-L09,VTR-L29,Vicky-AL00A,Victoria-AL00A,Warsaw-AL00 smart phones with software of earlier than Maya-L02C636B126 versions,earlier than VKY-L29C10B151 versions,earlier than VTR-L29C10B151 versions,earlier than Vicky-AL00AC00B162 versions,earlier than Victoria-AL00AC00B167 versions,earlier than Warsaw-AL00C00B200 versions have a Factory Reset Protection (FRP) bypass security vulnerability. When re-configuring the mobile phone using the factory reset protection (FRP) function, an attacker can login the configuration flow by some secret code and can perform some operations to update the Google account. As a result, the FRP function is bypassed.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/16/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-8173 represents a critical security flaw in several smartphone models including Maya-L02, VKY-L09, VTR-L29, Vicky-AL00A, Victoria-AL00A, and Warsaw-AL00. This weakness specifically affects devices running software versions prior to the mentioned release thresholds, creating a significant bypass mechanism for Factory Reset Protection features. The flaw operates at the system-level configuration interface where legitimate users encounter authentication prompts during factory reset procedures. The vulnerability manifests when attackers exploit a specific sequence of operations that allows them to circumvent the intended security controls designed to prevent unauthorized access to devices that have been reset to factory defaults. This represents a fundamental failure in the authentication and authorization mechanisms that should protect devices from unauthorized configuration changes.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate validation of authentication sequences during factory reset operations. When users attempt to reconfigure devices through the factory reset protection framework, the system fails to properly enforce security checks that should prevent unauthorized access to Google account configurations. The flaw enables attackers to inject specific secret codes that allow them to progress through the configuration flow without proper authentication, effectively granting them administrative access to modify Google account settings. This bypass mechanism operates at the application layer where the device's recovery procedures are implemented, and it represents a classic example of insufficient input validation and authentication control failure. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-287, which addresses improper authentication issues in software systems, and specifically demonstrates weaknesses in the authentication process that should have been enforced during device reconfiguration.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to potentially enabling complete device compromise and data exfiltration. Attackers who successfully bypass the FRP protection can gain persistent access to devices that were thought to be secure after factory reset, allowing them to restore full device functionality and access all stored data. This is particularly concerning for devices that may have contained sensitive corporate information or personal data, as the vulnerability essentially removes the security guarantee that factory resets provide. The ability to update Google account configurations through this bypass means attackers can potentially take control of user accounts, access cloud services, and maintain persistent access to compromised devices. This vulnerability directly impacts the security model of mobile devices by undermining the fundamental assumption that a factory reset provides a clean slate for device security. The threat landscape is further complicated by the fact that this vulnerability affects multiple device models from the same manufacturer, indicating a systemic issue in the implementation of FRP protection mechanisms.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate software updates and patches from device manufacturers to address the authentication bypass flaw. Organizations should implement comprehensive device management policies that include mandatory security updates and regular vulnerability assessments. Users must be educated about the risks associated with factory reset procedures and the importance of maintaining current software versions. The implementation of additional security controls such as enhanced authentication mechanisms, device encryption, and network-based access controls can provide defense-in-depth protection against exploitation of this vulnerability. Security teams should monitor for exploitation attempts and implement network monitoring to detect unusual authentication patterns that might indicate attempts to exploit this flaw. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper security testing during software development and the need for comprehensive security validation of critical system functions like factory reset procedures. The issue also highlights the necessity of maintaining up-to-date security patches and the risks associated with legacy software versions that may contain known vulnerabilities. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and credential access, specifically leveraging weaknesses in system-level authentication controls.