CVE-2017-8186 in MHA-AL00A
Summary
by MITRE
The Bastet of some Huawei mobile phones with software of earlier than MHA-AL00BC00B231 versions has a DOS 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-2017-8186 represents a critical denial of service weakness affecting certain Huawei mobile devices running software versions prior to MHA-AL00BC00B231. This flaw resides within the Bastet component of the affected Huawei smartphones, which serves as a system service responsible for managing various device functions. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize or verify parameters passed to the Bastet service, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by malicious actors.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows an attacker to craft a malicious application that can manipulate specific parameters within the Bastet service interface. When executed on an affected device, this malicious application can trigger a system reboot by exploiting the parameter validation gap. The flaw operates at the system level where parameter validation is absent or inadequate, enabling arbitrary parameter modification that ultimately results in device instability and forced system restarts. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-20, which specifically addresses "Improper Input Validation" and represents a fundamental weakness in software design that allows malicious inputs to disrupt normal system operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple inconvenience as it can be weaponized to create persistent denial of service conditions on targeted devices. Attackers can distribute malicious applications through various channels including unofficial app stores or social engineering campaigns, tricking users into installation. Once installed, the malicious application can silently trigger system reboots at will, potentially disrupting critical communications, data collection processes, or device functionality. This vulnerability particularly affects Huawei devices in the MHA-AL00 series, making them susceptible to targeted attacks that can render the device temporarily unusable while the system recovers from the forced reboot cycles.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.002 which covers "Endpoint Denial of Service: OS File/Directory Permissions Modification" and represents a classic example of how insufficient parameter validation can create attack vectors for system disruption. The weakness creates a pathway for adversaries to manipulate system services through legitimate application interfaces, bypassing normal security controls. Organizations and users should be particularly concerned about this vulnerability as it requires no special privileges or advanced techniques to exploit, making it accessible to threat actors with basic mobile malware development skills. The affected devices remain vulnerable until proper firmware updates are installed, which typically include enhanced parameter validation routines and input sanitization measures to prevent unauthorized parameter manipulation.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate firmware updates to versions MHA-AL00BC00B231 or later, which contain the necessary patches to address the parameter validation deficiencies. Users should avoid installing applications from untrusted sources and maintain regular security updates for their mobile devices. Network administrators should monitor for suspicious application installations and implement mobile device management policies that restrict the installation of potentially malicious applications. Additionally, security awareness training should emphasize the dangers of downloading applications from unofficial sources, as the vulnerability specifically requires user interaction to install the malicious application that triggers the denial of service condition.