CVE-2018-7922 in Smart Phone
Summary
by MITRE
Huawei ALP-L09 smart phones with versions earlier than ALP-L09 8.0.0.150(C432) have an insufficient input validation vulnerability due to lack of parameter check. An attacker tricks the user who has root privilege to install a crafted application, the application may modify the specific data to exploit the vulnerability. Successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary code.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/16/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-7922 affects Huawei ALP-L09 smartphones running firmware versions prior to ALP-L09 8.0.0.150(C432). This represents a critical security flaw in the device's input validation mechanisms that stems from inadequate parameter checking within the system's software architecture. The vulnerability resides in the mobile operating system's handling of user inputs and application installations, creating a pathway for malicious exploitation that could compromise the device's security integrity.
The technical flaw manifests as insufficient input validation that fails to properly verify or sanitize parameters passed to the system during application installation processes. This weakness allows attackers to craft malicious applications that can bypass normal security checks and execute unauthorized operations on the device. The vulnerability specifically targets the root privilege escalation mechanism, where an attacker with the ability to convince a user with elevated privileges to install a crafted application can exploit this flaw. The lack of proper parameter validation creates a condition where malicious inputs can be processed without adequate security screening, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution on the target device.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data compromise, as successful exploitation enables attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the root user. This level of access provides complete control over the device's functionality, including the ability to modify system files, install additional malicious software, access sensitive data, and potentially establish persistent backdoors. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires only social engineering to trick a user with root privileges into installing the malicious application, making it difficult to detect and prevent through traditional security measures. This weakness effectively undermines the device's security model and could enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to confidential information stored on the device.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which describes "Improper Input Validation" as a fundamental security flaw where systems fail to properly validate input data before processing it. This weakness creates opportunities for attackers to manipulate system behavior through crafted inputs that exploit the lack of proper validation checks. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and code execution, specifically targeting the T1068 privilege escalation technique and T1059 command and scripting interpreter. The attack chain begins with social engineering to obtain root access, followed by exploitation of the input validation flaw to achieve arbitrary code execution, making it a significant concern for mobile security professionals.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate firmware updates to the latest available versions that address this vulnerability. Users should ensure their devices are updated to ALP-L09 8.0.0.150(C432) or later releases that contain proper parameter validation mechanisms. System administrators should implement strict application installation policies and avoid installing applications from untrusted sources. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious application installation activities, and regular security audits should be conducted to identify potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing mobile device management solutions that can enforce security policies and prevent installation of potentially malicious applications. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation in mobile operating systems and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing before deployment of mobile firmware updates.