CVE-2018-7923 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-2018-7923 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 operating system. The vulnerability resides in the smartphone's kernel or system-level components that process user inputs and application data, creating an attack surface where malicious actors can manipulate system behavior through crafted applications. The flaw specifically manifests when the device processes unvalidated input parameters, allowing for potentially dangerous operations to be executed without proper security checks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability follows a classic privilege escalation pattern where an attacker must first gain access to a root-privileged user account or device. This prerequisite is significant as it requires the user to have already compromised the device's security posture or to have been tricked into installing malicious software. The attack vector involves the installation of a specially crafted application that exploits the insufficient input validation to modify specific system data structures. This modification enables the attacker to execute arbitrary code within the device's operating environment, effectively bypassing normal security controls and gaining unauthorized access to system resources.
From an operational perspective, the impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution to potentially compromise the entire device security model. Successful exploitation allows attackers to modify critical system components, access sensitive user data, and potentially establish persistent backdoors within the device. The vulnerability's potential for remote code execution makes it particularly dangerous in environments where smartphones serve as primary access points to corporate networks or contain sensitive information. The attack requires social engineering to trick users into installing malicious applications, making it more difficult to detect and prevent compared to purely network-based attacks.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which describes improper input validation as a fundamental security weakness in software development practices. This weakness creates opportunities for attackers to manipulate system behavior through malformed inputs, leading to various security consequences including privilege escalation and arbitrary code execution. The specific implementation of this vulnerability in the Huawei device demonstrates how mobile operating systems can be compromised when input validation is not properly enforced at system level. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting the execution of malicious code with elevated privileges. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management programs to address this vulnerability and ensure all affected Huawei devices receive the necessary firmware updates to mitigate the risk of exploitation.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate firmware updates to version ALP-L09 8.0.0.150(C432) or later, which contain the necessary security patches to address the input validation flaws. Network administrators should also implement application whitelisting policies to prevent installation of untrusted applications on mobile devices, particularly those with root access. Device monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect unusual application behavior or unauthorized modifications to system components. Additionally, user education programs should emphasize the importance of avoiding suspicious applications and understanding the risks associated with granting root privileges to unknown software sources. Regular security assessments of mobile device environments should include verification of firmware versions and confirmation that all security patches have been properly applied to prevent exploitation of this and similar vulnerabilities.