CVE-2018-7925 in Huawei
Summary
by MITRE
The radio module of some Huawei smartphones Emily-AL00A The versions before 8.1.0.171(C00) have a lock-screen bypass vulnerability. An unauthenticated attacker could start third-part input method APP through certain operations to bypass lock-screen by exploit this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/06/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-7925 represents a critical security flaw in Huawei smartphones, specifically affecting the Emily-AL00A model and other devices running firmware versions prior to 8.1.0.171(C00). This vulnerability resides within the radio module component of the device's operating system and fundamentally compromises the device's security posture by enabling unauthorized access through a lock-screen bypass mechanism. The flaw manifests when an unauthenticated attacker exploits specific operational sequences to launch third-party input method applications that can circumvent the device's built-in lock-screen protection.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability leverages the interaction between the radio module and the input method framework within the Android operating system. When certain conditions are met through user interaction or automated sequences, the vulnerability allows malicious actors to invoke third-party input applications that can manipulate the lock-screen interface. This bypass occurs because the radio module's security controls fail to properly validate or restrict access to input method services during the lock-screen state, creating an exploitable pathway that enables unauthorized input injection. The vulnerability specifically targets the authentication mechanisms that should prevent third-party applications from accessing the device's input system when the screen is locked, effectively undermining the device's primary security boundary.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to encompass potential data theft, privacy violations, and system compromise. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can gain access to sensitive information stored on the device, including personal messages, photos, contacts, and potentially corporate data if the device contains business information. The ability to bypass the lock-screen through third-party input methods creates a persistent threat vector that can be exploited repeatedly without requiring physical device access or advanced technical skills. This vulnerability particularly affects enterprise security environments where mobile devices contain confidential information and where the lock-screen serves as a critical first line of defense against unauthorized access.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-7925 should prioritize immediate firmware updates from Huawei to version 8.1.0.171(C00) or later, which contain patches addressing the radio module's improper validation of input method access during lock-screen states. Organizations should implement comprehensive device management policies that enforce automatic security updates and maintain visibility into device firmware versions across their mobile fleets. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 Access Control Issues, specifically targeting improper access control mechanisms that should prevent unauthorized third-party applications from gaining elevated privileges during secure states. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1546 Persistence and T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter techniques, as attackers can establish persistent access through input method manipulation and potentially escalate privileges through subsequent exploitation of the compromised device's input system. Security teams should also consider implementing additional monitoring controls to detect unusual input method activity patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts.