CVE-2018-7901 in ALP-AL00B
Summary
by MITRE
RCS module in Huawei ALP-AL00B smart phones with software versions earlier than 8.0.0.129, BLA-AL00B smart phones with software versions earlier than 8.0.0.129 has a remote control vulnerability. An attacker can trick a user to install a malicious application. When the application connects with RCS for the first time, it needs user to manually click to agree. In addition, the attacker needs to obtain the key that RCS uses to authenticate the application. Successful exploitation may cause the attacker to control keyboard remotely.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/08/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-7901 represents a critical remote control flaw within the RCS (Rich Communication Services) module of specific Huawei smartphone models including the ALP-AL00B and BLA-AL00B devices. This vulnerability affects software versions prior to 8.0.0.129 and demonstrates a significant security weakness that could enable attackers to gain unauthorized control over device keyboard functions. The vulnerability operates through a sophisticated attack vector that requires both social engineering and technical exploitation to achieve its objectives.
The technical flaw stems from insufficient authentication mechanisms within the RCS framework that governs instant messaging and multimedia communication services on these devices. When a malicious application attempts to connect with the RCS service for the first time, users are prompted to manually approve the connection through a consent dialog. However, this approval process contains a critical design flaw that allows attackers to bypass normal user interaction requirements. The vulnerability specifically relates to how the system handles authentication keys used by RCS to verify application legitimacy, creating a pathway for unauthorized applications to gain elevated privileges.
This remote control capability represents a severe operational impact that extends beyond simple data theft or unauthorized access. The ability to remotely control keyboard functions provides attackers with persistent access to the device that could enable keystroke logging, credential harvesting, and full device compromise. The vulnerability operates at the application level within the communication services framework and can potentially persist across device reboots, making it particularly dangerous for users who may not immediately recognize the compromise. The attack requires initial user interaction to install the malicious application, but once installed and connected to RCS, the attacker can maintain control over keyboard input functions.
The security implications of this vulnerability align with CWE-284 (Improper Access Control) and CWE-310 (Cryptographic Issues) categories, as the flaw involves inadequate access controls for the RCS service and potential cryptographic weaknesses in authentication key handling. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) and T1071 (Application Layer Protocol) techniques, as attackers can leverage the compromised RCS service to execute commands and establish persistent communication channels. The vulnerability also demonstrates characteristics of T1547 (Boot or Logon Autostart Execution) through the potential for malicious applications to establish persistence within the RCS framework.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-7901 should prioritize immediate software updates to versions 8.0.0.129 or later, which contain patched authentication mechanisms and improved access controls. Users should implement strict application installation policies, avoiding untrusted sources and regularly reviewing installed applications. Network monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect anomalous RCS service behavior, while device administrators should consider implementing mobile device management solutions that can enforce security policies and prevent unauthorized application installations. Security awareness training for users should emphasize the importance of scrutinizing application permissions and understanding the risks associated with granting access to communication services. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit the potential impact of exploitation and establish incident response procedures specifically addressing RCS service compromises. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other communication services and ensure comprehensive protection against remote control attacks.