CVE-2018-9067 in Help App
Summary
by MITRE
The Lenovo Help Android app versions earlier than 6.1.2.0327 had insufficient access control for some functions which, if exploited, could have led to exposure of approximately 400 email addresses and 8,500 IMEI.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/04/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-9067 affects the Lenovo Help Android application, specifically versions prior to 6.1.2.0327, representing a critical access control flaw that undermines the security posture of affected devices. This weakness stems from inadequate authorization mechanisms within the application's architecture, allowing unauthorized access to sensitive data that should have been protected. The vulnerability falls under the broader category of insufficient access control issues as classified by CWE-284, which directly relates to improper access control mechanisms that permit unauthorized users to access resources or data they should not be able to reach. The affected application's design failed to properly validate user permissions and authentication states, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the system's trust model.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability resulted in the unauthorized disclosure of approximately 400 email addresses and 8,500 IMEI numbers, demonstrating the severity of the access control failure. Email addresses represent personally identifiable information that could be leveraged for social engineering attacks, phishing campaigns, or credential stuffing attacks. The inclusion of IMEI numbers presents additional security implications as these unique identifiers can be used to track device location, correlate with stolen device databases, or facilitate device-specific attacks. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple data exposure since IMEI numbers are often used in mobile network authentication and device management systems, making them valuable targets for cybercriminals. This type of information disclosure aligns with ATT&CK technique T1087.001, which involves acquiring system information through enumeration and reconnaissance activities.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-9067 significantly affects both individual users and enterprise environments that utilize Lenovo devices. For individual users, the exposure of email addresses creates opportunities for targeted attacks and privacy violations, while the IMEI data could enable device tracking or facilitate theft-related criminal activities. Organizations that deploy Lenovo devices may face compliance violations and regulatory penalties due to the unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple device generations indicates a systemic issue in the application's security design that required comprehensive remediation rather than simple patching. This represents a failure in the software development lifecycle's security controls, particularly in the authentication and authorization phases where proper access control mechanisms should have been implemented. The vulnerability's exploitation demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and access control enforcement in mobile applications, particularly those that interact with system-level information or user data.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-9067 require immediate application of the vendor-provided patch version 6.1.2.0327, which addresses the insufficient access control mechanisms. Organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all affected devices and ensure proper patch deployment across their mobile device management systems. Additional defensive measures include implementing network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts, reviewing application permissions and access controls, and conducting security audits of mobile applications to identify similar access control vulnerabilities. The remediation process should also involve user education regarding the importance of keeping applications updated and understanding the security implications of mobile device management applications. Security teams should implement continuous monitoring for similar vulnerabilities in other mobile applications and establish secure coding practices that emphasize proper access control implementation. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of access control mechanisms in mobile applications and the potential consequences of inadequate implementation, particularly when dealing with sensitive personal information and device identifiers that can be exploited for various malicious purposes.