CVE-2018-7944 in Smart Phone
Summary
by MITRE
Huawei smart phones Emily-AL00A with software 8.1.0.106(SP2C00) and 8.1.0.107(SP5C00) have a Factory Reset Protection (FRP) bypass vulnerability. An attacker gets some user's smart phone and performs some special operations in the guide function. The attacker may exploit the vulnerability to bypass FRP function and use the phone normally.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/03/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-7944 represents a critical security flaw in Huawei smartphones, specifically the Emily-AL00A model running software versions 8.1.0.106(SP2C00) and 8.1.0.107(SP5C00). This issue resides within the Factory Reset Protection mechanism, which serves as a fundamental security feature designed to prevent unauthorized use of lost or stolen devices. The FRP system typically requires users to authenticate with their account credentials before a device can be fully reset or activated, creating a barrier against device theft and unauthorized access. However, this particular vulnerability undermines the integrity of the protection scheme through a specialized attack vector that exploits the guide function of the device.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through specific operations performed within the device's guide or setup functions, which are typically designed to assist users in configuring their devices for the first time or after a factory reset. These guide functions contain code paths that fail to properly validate authentication requirements or maintain proper state management during the reset process. The flaw allows an attacker who has physical access to a device to manipulate these guide functions in such a way that bypasses the normal authentication checks required for FRP enforcement. This manipulation effectively creates a backdoor path that circumvents the intended security controls, enabling unauthorized users to gain full operational control of the device without proper authorization.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple device theft prevention, as it fundamentally compromises the device's security model and user privacy. When an attacker successfully bypasses FRP protection, they gain complete access to all device data including personal information, communications, applications, and potentially corporate data if the device is used for business purposes. This vulnerability transforms the device from a secure personal asset into an easily exploitable target that can be used for identity theft, data exfiltration, or as a platform for further attacks. The vulnerability affects not only individual users but also enterprise environments where mobile devices often contain sensitive corporate information, making this a significant concern for organizations implementing mobile device management policies.
Security researchers have classified this vulnerability under CWE-284, which addresses improper access control mechanisms, and it aligns with ATT&CK technique T1490, which involves data destruction and data manipulation through device-level attacks. The vulnerability demonstrates how seemingly benign user interface functions can contain critical security flaws that undermine device security foundations. Mitigation strategies should include immediate software updates from Huawei to patch the vulnerability, implementation of additional authentication layers beyond the basic FRP system, and user education about the importance of physical device security. Organizations should also consider implementing mobile device management solutions that can detect and respond to unusual device behavior patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of comprehensive security testing of all device functions, particularly those that interact with user-facing interfaces and authentication mechanisms.