CVE-2019-5218 in Band 2
Summary
by MITRE
There is an insufficient authentication vulnerability in Huawei Band 2 and Honor Band 3. The band does not sufficiently authenticate the device try to connect to it in certain scenario. Successful exploit could allow the attacker to spoof then connect to the band.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/05/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-5218 represents a critical authentication flaw affecting Huawei Band 2 and Honor Band 3 wearable devices. This security weakness stems from inadequate verification mechanisms during the device pairing and connection process, creating opportunities for unauthorized access and malicious interference. The vulnerability manifests when specific connection scenarios are exploited, allowing attackers to bypass normal authentication procedures and establish fraudulent connections to the affected wearable devices. This fundamental flaw in the authentication architecture compromises the device's security posture and potentially exposes user data and device control to unauthorized parties.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability lies in the insufficient validation of connection attempts within the Bluetooth pairing protocol of these wearable devices. The authentication process fails to properly verify the legitimacy of connecting devices, creating a pathway for attackers to perform man-in-the-middle attacks or connection spoofing operations. According to CWE classification, this represents a weakness in authentication mechanisms where the system does not adequately validate the identity of connecting devices, falling under CWE-287 which addresses improper authentication. The vulnerability specifically targets the device-side authentication logic that should verify incoming connection requests before establishing communication channels.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-5218 extends beyond simple unauthorized access to encompass potential data compromise and device manipulation capabilities. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability could gain control over the wearable device's functions, potentially accessing sensitive health and fitness data, location information, or personal communications that may be synchronized with the device. The implications align with ATT&CK framework techniques such as T1566 (Phishing for Information) and T1071.004 (Application Layer Protocol: DNS) when considering how attackers might leverage this weakness to establish persistent access. The vulnerability's impact is particularly concerning given the personal nature of wearable device data and the potential for continuous monitoring or data exfiltration.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on strengthening the authentication mechanisms within the device firmware and implementing robust connection validation procedures. Device manufacturers should ensure that all incoming connection attempts undergo proper authentication checks before establishing communication channels. Security updates and firmware patches should be deployed immediately to address the authentication gap, while users should be advised to keep their devices updated and avoid connecting to untrusted networks. Network segmentation and monitoring of Bluetooth connections can provide additional layers of protection. The vulnerability highlights the importance of implementing strong authentication protocols in IoT and wearable devices, as outlined in industry standards such as NIST SP 800-125 and ISO/IEC 27030, which emphasize the need for robust authentication mechanisms in connected devices to prevent unauthorized access and maintain data integrity.