CVE-2018-7940 in Mate 10
Summary
by MITRE
Huawei smart phones Mate 10 and Mate 10 Pro with earlier versions than 8.0.0.129(SP2C00) and earlier versions than 8.0.0.129(SP2C01) have an authentication bypass vulnerability. An attacker with high privilege obtains the smart phone and bypass the activation function by some specific operations.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/11/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-7940 represents a critical authentication bypass flaw affecting Huawei Mate 10 and Mate 10 Pro smartphones running firmware versions prior to 8.0.0.129(SP2C00) and 8.0.0.129(SP2C01). This security weakness stems from insufficient validation mechanisms within the device's activation and authentication processes, creating a pathway for attackers to circumvent the standard security controls that normally protect device access and functionality. The flaw specifically targets the activation function that should normally require proper authentication credentials before granting access to device features and services. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-287 which deals with improper authentication scenarios, while the attack pattern aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004 for valid accounts and T1547.001 for registry run keys or startup folder.
The technical implementation of this authentication bypass involves exploiting specific operational sequences that allow an attacker with physical access to the device to manipulate the activation state without proper authorization. The vulnerability likely resides in the device's boot process or early initialization routines where authentication checks may be improperly bypassed or where insufficient input validation occurs during the activation sequence. Attackers can leverage this flaw by performing specific operations on the device while in an unlocked state, potentially gaining access to restricted functionalities, sensitive data, or even administrative privileges within the device's operating environment. The security implications extend beyond simple unauthorized access as this bypass could enable further exploitation of other device vulnerabilities or provide a foothold for more sophisticated attacks.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-7940 is significant for users who may have their devices compromised through physical theft or unauthorized access scenarios. Once an attacker successfully bypasses the activation function, they gain unrestricted access to the device's capabilities, potentially including the ability to extract sensitive information, install malicious applications, modify system configurations, or even use the device as a pivot point for attacks on other networked systems. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires only high-privilege physical access rather than sophisticated network-based attack vectors, making it exploitable in scenarios where devices are lost or stolen. Organizations and individuals using affected Huawei devices face increased risk of data breaches, privacy violations, and potential financial losses due to unauthorized access to corporate or personal information stored on these devices.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily involve immediate firmware updates to versions 8.0.0.129(SP2C00) or 8.0.0.129(SP2C01) as provided by Huawei, which contain the necessary patches to address the authentication bypass weakness. Users should also implement additional security measures including strong device encryption, regular security updates, and comprehensive mobile device management policies. Network administrators should consider implementing device management solutions that can enforce security policies and monitor for suspicious device behavior. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper authentication design and implementation in mobile operating systems, emphasizing the need for robust validation mechanisms at all levels of the device initialization process. Security professionals should also consider this vulnerability when conducting risk assessments for mobile device deployments and ensure that appropriate controls are in place to protect against physical access attacks and unauthorized device usage.