CVE-2018-7924 in Anne-AL00
Summary
by MITRE
Anne-AL00 Huawei phones with versions earlier than 8.0.0.151(C00) have an information leak vulnerability. Due to improper permission settings for specific commands, attackers who can connect to a mobile phone via the USB interface may exploit this vulnerability to obtain specific device information of the mobile phone.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/30/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-7924 affects Huawei Anne-AL00 smartphones running firmware versions prior to 8.0.0.151(C00). This represents a critical information disclosure weakness that stems from inadequate permission controls within the device's USB interface implementation. The flaw specifically manifests when unauthorized users gain physical access to the device through USB connection, enabling them to extract sensitive device-specific information that should remain protected. Such vulnerabilities fall under the broader category of insufficient access control issues classified as CWE-284, where improper privileges allow unauthorized information access. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it leverages a physical attack vector that requires minimal technical expertise to exploit.
The technical mechanism behind this vulnerability involves the improper handling of USB commands and the lack of proper authentication checks when devices are connected via USB interface. When a mobile device is connected through USB, it typically operates in different modes such as USB debugging, mass storage, or charging modes, each with distinct permission levels. In affected Huawei devices, the system fails to properly validate the permissions associated with specific commands executed through the USB interface, allowing attackers to bypass normal access controls. This misconfiguration creates an information leak channel where sensitive device metadata, including hardware identifiers, firmware versions, and potentially other system-level information, becomes accessible to unauthorized parties. The vulnerability is classified under ATT&CK technique T1059.005 for command and scripting interpreter, specifically focusing on USB-based command execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the leaked device information can serve as a foundation for more sophisticated attacks. Attackers can use the gathered information to build targeted exploitation strategies against known device vulnerabilities, potentially enabling them to craft device-specific malware or exploit other weaknesses in the device's security architecture. The information obtained through this vulnerability may include device model identifiers, firmware versions, build numbers, and other metadata that could be used in conjunction with other attack vectors. This type of information leak creates a reconnaissance opportunity for threat actors who may use the collected data to plan more effective attacks against the device or its user. The vulnerability essentially provides attackers with a low-effort method to gather intelligence about the target device, which can significantly reduce the complexity of subsequent attack phases.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-7924 primarily focus on firmware updates and operational security measures. The most effective solution involves updating the device firmware to version 8.0.0.151(C00) or later, which includes proper permission controls for USB commands and addresses the underlying access control flaw. Organizations should implement strict policies regarding USB interface usage, particularly in enterprise environments where device security is paramount. Security practitioners should disable unnecessary USB functionality when devices are not actively being used for development or debugging purposes. Additionally, implementing USB device whitelisting mechanisms and monitoring USB connection activities can help detect and prevent unauthorized access attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper privilege separation in mobile device security architectures and reinforces the need for comprehensive security testing of USB interfaces. From a compliance standpoint, this vulnerability demonstrates the necessity of maintaining up-to-date device firmware and implementing proper security controls to prevent information leakage scenarios that could compromise user privacy and device integrity.