CVE-2017-8175 in Vicky-AL00A
Summary
by MITRE
The Bastet of some Huawei mobile phones with software earlier than Vicky-AL00AC00B167 versions, earlier than Victoria-AL00AC00B167 versions, earlier than Warsaw-AL00C00B191 versions has an insufficient input validation vulnerability due to the lack of parameter validation. An attacker may trick a user into installing a malicious APP. The APP can modify specific parameter to cause system reboot.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/16/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-8175 represents a critical input validation flaw affecting certain Huawei mobile devices running older software versions. This security weakness resides in the system's failure to properly validate input parameters, creating an avenue for malicious exploitation through seemingly benign user interactions. The affected Huawei models include devices with software versions prior to Vicky-AL00AC00B167, Victoria-AL00AC00B167, and Warsaw-AL00C00B191, indicating a widespread issue across multiple device generations and software releases. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-20, which describes improper input validation as a fundamental security weakness that allows attackers to manipulate system behavior through malformed inputs.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate parameter validation mechanisms within the mobile operating system's application processing framework. When users install malicious applications, these apps can exploit the missing input validation checks by manipulating specific system parameters that control device behavior. The attack vector specifically leverages user trust and installation practices, where an attacker crafts a malicious application that appears legitimate but contains code designed to exploit the parameter validation gap. The system's response to these manipulated parameters results in unexpected device reboot behavior, demonstrating how insufficient input validation can lead to system instability and potential denial of service conditions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system disruption, as it creates a pathway for more sophisticated attacks that could potentially escalate privileges or gain unauthorized system access. The ability to trigger system reboots through parameter manipulation suggests that the vulnerability may be exploitable in conjunction with other attack vectors, potentially enabling persistent threats or privilege escalation attempts. From an attacker's perspective, this vulnerability represents a low-effort method to compromise device integrity, as it requires only the ability to convince users to install malicious applications rather than complex exploitation techniques. The vulnerability's presence in multiple software versions indicates a systemic issue that affects Huawei's security architecture across various device models and release cycles.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-8175 should prioritize immediate software updates and patches from Huawei, as these would address the underlying parameter validation deficiencies in the affected device firmware. System administrators and users should implement strict application installation policies that require verification of application sources and permissions before installation. Network-level protections could include monitoring for suspicious application behavior patterns and implementing application whitelisting mechanisms. The vulnerability's characteristics align with ATT&CK technique T1059, which covers command and scripting interpreter usage, as attackers may leverage the system reboot capability to execute malicious commands or scripts. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing mobile device management solutions that can detect and prevent installation of applications known to exploit similar input validation vulnerabilities, thereby reducing the attack surface and protecting against potential exploitation attempts.