CVE-2018-7989 in Mate 10 Pro
Summary
by MITRE
Huawei Mate 10 pro smartphones with the versions before BLA-AL00B 8.1.0.326(C00) have an improper authentication vulnerability. App Lock is a function to prevent unauthorized use of apps on smartphones, an attacker could directly change the lock password after a series of operations. Successful exploit could allow the attacker to use the application which is locked.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/30/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-7989 affects Huawei Mate 10 pro smartphones running firmware versions prior to BLA-AL00B 8.1.0.326(C00). This represents a critical security flaw in the device's application lock mechanism, which is designed to prevent unauthorized access to protected applications. The issue stems from improper authentication implementation that allows attackers to bypass the intended security controls through a series of specific operations.
The technical flaw manifests in the App Lock functionality where the authentication process fails to properly validate the user's credentials during password modification attempts. This weakness enables an attacker to manipulate the system's authentication flow and change the lock password without proper authorization. The vulnerability specifically targets the authentication mechanism that should enforce access control to locked applications, creating a pathway for unauthorized users to gain access to protected software functions. This improper authentication vulnerability is classified under CWE-287, which addresses authentication failures that can lead to privilege escalation and unauthorized access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it completely undermines the security model designed to protect user applications and data. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can gain access to applications that were previously locked, potentially accessing sensitive personal information, financial data, or private communications. The ability to change the lock password directly after a series of operations means that unauthorized individuals can not only access locked applications but also modify the security settings to maintain persistent access. This vulnerability essentially creates a backdoor into the device's application protection system and can be exploited to compromise the entire device's security posture.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate firmware updates to the affected Huawei Mate 10 pro devices to the patched version BLA-AL00B 8.1.0.326(C00) or later. Users should also implement additional security measures such as enabling strong authentication methods, regularly updating their device software, and avoiding the use of predictable passwords for application locks. Security professionals should monitor for potential exploitation attempts and consider implementing network-based detection mechanisms to identify suspicious authentication patterns that may indicate exploitation of this vulnerability. Organizations should conduct thorough security assessments of their mobile device management policies to ensure proper patch deployment and user education regarding the importance of maintaining up-to-date security controls. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1548.002 which covers abuse of application permissions and authentication bypass techniques that can be leveraged for privilege escalation and unauthorized access to protected resources.