CVE-2017-8215 in Honor 8
Summary
by MITRE
Honor 8,Honor V8,Honor 9,Honor V9,Nova 2,Nova 2 Plus,P9,P10 Plus,Toronto Huawei smart phones with software of versions earlier than FRD-AL00C00B391, versions earlier than FRD-DL00C00B391, versions earlier than KNT-AL10C00B391, versions earlier than KNT-AL20C00B391, versions earlier than KNT-UL10C00B391, versions earlier than KNT-TL10C00B391, versions earlier than Stanford-AL00C00B175, versions earlier than Stanford-AL10C00B175, versions earlier than Stanford-TL00C01B175, versions earlier than Duke-AL20C00B191, versions earlier than Duke-TL30C01B191, versions earlier than Picasso-AL00C00B162, versions earlier than Picasso-TL00C01B162 , versions earlier than Barca-AL00C00B162, versions earlier than Barca-TL00C00B162, versions earlier than EVA-AL10C00B396SP03, versions earlier than EVA-CL00C92B396, versions earlier than EVA-DL00C17B396, versions earlier than EVA-TL00C01B396 , versions earlier than Vicky-AL00AC00B172, versions earlier than Toronto-AL00AC00B191, versions earlier than Toronto-TL10C01B191 have a permission control vulnerability. An attacker with the system privilege of a mobile can exploit this vulnerability to bypass the unlock code verification and unlock the mobile phone bootloader.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/16/2023
This vulnerability represents a critical permission control flaw in multiple huawei smartphone models that affects the bootloader unlock process. The issue stems from insufficient validation mechanisms that allow malicious actors with system-level privileges to bypass the intended security controls designed to protect device bootloaders. The vulnerability impacts a wide range of devices including honor 8, honor v8, honor 9, honor v9, nova 2, nova 2 plus, p9, p10 plus, and various other models across different hardware platforms. According to the affected software versions, this vulnerability exists in firmware releases prior to specific build numbers including FRD-AL00C00B391, FRD-DL00C00B391, and numerous others across different model series. The technical flaw lies in the improper implementation of access controls within the device's security framework, creating a path for privilege escalation attacks that can undermine the fundamental security architecture of mobile devices.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it allows attackers with system-level privileges to circumvent the bootloader verification process entirely. Bootloader security is a critical component of mobile device security, serving as the first line of defense against unauthorized modifications to the device's operating system and firmware. When an attacker can bypass unlock code verification, they gain the ability to modify system partitions, install custom firmware, or execute unauthorized code on the device. This represents a direct violation of the principle of least privilege and undermines the integrity of the device's security model. The vulnerability essentially creates a backdoor that bypasses the intended security controls, allowing malicious actors to gain deeper access to device functionality than originally intended.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control issues in software systems. The flaw demonstrates poor implementation of security controls that should enforce proper authentication and authorization mechanisms before allowing bootloader modifications. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a privilege escalation technique where adversaries leverage existing system privileges to gain elevated access. The vulnerability's exploitation requires only system-level access, which is often obtained through other attack vectors such as malicious applications or compromised user accounts. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be chained with other attacks to create comprehensive compromise scenarios. The affected devices represent a significant attack surface given their widespread deployment and the fact that many users may not be aware of the security implications of having system-level access.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate firmware updates that address the permission control implementation flaws. Device manufacturers must ensure proper access control mechanisms are implemented at the bootloader level, requiring strong authentication before any modifications can be made. Organizations should implement comprehensive device management policies that monitor for unauthorized bootloader modifications and enforce secure configuration standards. Users should be educated about the risks associated with granting system privileges to applications and the importance of keeping firmware updated. The vulnerability highlights the critical need for robust security testing of bootloader implementations and proper validation of access control mechanisms. Regular security audits of mobile device firmware should be conducted to identify similar permission control weaknesses. Additionally, device manufacturers should implement proper code review processes that include security assessments of low-level system components such as bootloaders and firmware interfaces.