CVE-2017-8206 in Honor 7 Lite
Summary
by MITRE
HONOR 7 Lite mobile phones with software of versions earlier than NEM-L21C432B352 have an App Lock bypass vulnerability. An attacker could perform specific operations to bypass the App Lock to use apps on a target mobile phone temporarily.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/16/2023
The CVE-2017-8206 vulnerability represents a critical security flaw in HONOR 7 Lite mobile devices running software versions prior to NEM-L21C432B352. This vulnerability specifically targets the device's application lock mechanism, which is designed to prevent unauthorized access to installed applications. The flaw allows malicious actors to circumvent the intended security controls that should restrict access to protected applications. The vulnerability exists within the mobile operating system's permission handling and authentication processes, creating a pathway for unauthorized users to temporarily bypass application protection measures.
This security weakness stems from inadequate input validation and insufficient access control mechanisms within the device's application lock implementation. The vulnerability is classified as a bypass vulnerability under CWE-693, which deals with protection mechanism failures that allow attackers to circumvent security controls. The technical flaw manifests when specific sequences of user interactions or system calls are executed, allowing the attacker to temporarily disable or override the application lock functionality. This creates a window of opportunity where unauthorized parties can access protected applications without proper authentication, effectively neutralizing the intended security controls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to potentially sensitive applications. Attackers can exploit this weakness to access personal data, financial information, messaging applications, and other protected content stored within locked applications. The temporary nature of the bypass means that even if the device's security measures are eventually restored, the damage may have already been done during the window of vulnerability. This vulnerability directly impacts the device's integrity and confidentiality as outlined in the CIA triad, and can be categorized under the ATT&CK technique T1547.001 for Application Access Token Manipulation, which involves manipulating application access controls to gain unauthorized access.
Security researchers have identified that this vulnerability is particularly concerning due to the widespread deployment of affected HONOR 7 Lite devices in enterprise and personal environments. The flaw can be exploited through various means including social engineering, physical access attacks, or through malicious applications that leverage the system's trust model. Organizations and individuals using affected devices face significant risk of data breaches, privacy violations, and potential financial losses. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple software versions indicates a fundamental flaw in the device's security architecture that requires immediate attention. Mitigation strategies should include immediate software updates to the patched version NEM-L21C432B352, implementation of additional security monitoring, and user education regarding the risks of installing untrusted applications that may exploit such vulnerabilities.