CVE-2019-5211 in P20
Summary
by MITRE
The Huawei Share function of P20 phones with versions earlier than Emily-L29C 9.1.0.311 has an improper file management vulnerability. The attacker tricks the victim to perform certain operations on the mobile phone during file transfer. Because the file is not properly processed, successfully exploit may cause some files on the victim's mobile phone are deleted.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/05/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-5211 affects Huawei P20 smartphones running firmware versions prior to Emily-L29C 9.1.0.311, specifically within the Huawei Share functionality that enables file transfer between devices. This represents a critical security flaw in mobile device file management systems where user interaction during file transfer operations can be manipulated by malicious actors. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and improper file handling mechanisms within the Huawei Share implementation, creating a pathway for unauthorized file deletion operations.
The technical flaw manifests through a lack of proper sanitization and validation of file transfer operations within the Huawei Share function. When users engage with the file transfer process, the system fails to adequately verify the legitimacy of file operations or properly handle user interactions that could be exploited. This improper file management allows attackers to craft specific sequences of operations that manipulate the file transfer process to delete files from the victim's device. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-22 as Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory, indicating insufficient controls over file system access during transfer operations.
Operationally, this vulnerability presents significant risks to mobile device security and user data integrity. Attackers can exploit this weakness by tricking users into performing specific actions during file transfers, potentially leading to unauthorized deletion of critical files, personal data, or application files. The impact extends beyond simple data loss as it can compromise device functionality, user privacy, and create opportunities for further exploitation. Mobile device users who have not updated their firmware to the patched version remain vulnerable to attacks that could result in complete data loss or device compromise, particularly when using the Huawei Share feature in networked environments.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate firmware updates to the Emily-L29C 9.1.0.311 version or later, which addresses the improper file management vulnerability through enhanced input validation and proper file handling procedures. Organizations and individuals should disable or avoid using the Huawei Share function until the update is applied, particularly in environments where security is paramount. Network administrators should implement monitoring for suspicious file transfer activities and consider device management policies that enforce automatic firmware updates. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques involving privilege escalation and persistence through file system manipulation, potentially enabling more sophisticated attacks if combined with other exploitation vectors. The vulnerability underscores the importance of secure file handling practices in mobile operating systems and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of inter-device sharing functionalities.