CVE-2018-7956 in VIP App
Summary
by MITRE
Huawei VIP App is a mobile app for Malaysia customers that purchased P20 Series, Nova 3/3i and Mate 20. There is a vulnerability in versions before 4.0.5 that attackers can conduct bruteforce to the VIP App Web Services to get user information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/13/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-7956 affects Huawei's VIP App, a mobile application designed for Malaysia customers who purchased specific Huawei device models including the P20 Series, Nova 3/3i, and Mate 20. This mobile application serves as a platform for users to access exclusive services and information related to their device purchases. The vulnerability resides in the web services component of the VIP App and specifically impacts versions prior to 4.0.5, creating a significant security weakness that exposes user data to unauthorized access attempts. This flaw represents a critical issue in mobile application security as it directly impacts the confidentiality and integrity of user information stored within the Huawei ecosystem.
The technical flaw manifests through insufficient authentication mechanisms and weak access controls within the VIP App's web services infrastructure. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability through brute force attacks against the authentication endpoints, systematically attempting various credential combinations to gain unauthorized access to user accounts and associated information. The vulnerability stems from inadequate rate limiting and account lockout mechanisms that should normally prevent automated attack vectors from succeeding. This weakness allows threat actors to enumerate user credentials and access sensitive personal information, potentially including account details, device configurations, and other proprietary data that users expect to remain confidential within the Huawei VIP ecosystem.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it creates a persistent threat vector that can be exploited by malicious actors to compromise user privacy and potentially enable further attacks. Successful exploitation could lead to identity theft, unauthorized access to device features, and the potential for lateral movement within the Huawei service infrastructure. The vulnerability affects a specific geographical market segment in Malaysia, suggesting potential regional targeting or localized security implementation gaps that may indicate broader systemic issues within Huawei's mobile application security framework. This weakness undermines user trust in Huawei's security measures and could result in significant reputational damage and regulatory scrutiny.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-7956 should prioritize immediate deployment of version 4.0.5 or later, which includes enhanced authentication mechanisms and improved access controls. Organizations should implement robust rate limiting and account lockout policies to prevent brute force attacks, while also establishing monitoring systems to detect suspicious authentication attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-307, which addresses inadequate account lockout mechanisms, and relates to ATT&CK technique T1110, focusing on credential access through brute force methods. Additional protective measures include implementing multi-factor authentication for VIP App users, conducting regular security assessments of mobile application components, and establishing proper incident response protocols to address potential exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider network-level protections such as firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor and block malicious authentication attempts targeting the affected web services infrastructure.