CVE-2019-5221 in Mate 20 X
Summary
by MITRE
There is a path traversal vulnerability on Huawei Share. The software does not properly validate the path, an attacker could crafted a file path when transporting file through Huawei Share, successful exploit could allow the attacker to transport a file to arbitrary path on the phone. Affected products: Mate 20 X versions earlier than Ever-L29B 9.1.0.300(C432E3R1P12), versions earlier than Ever-L29B 9.1.0.300(C636E3R2P1), and versions earlier than Ever-L29B 9.1.0.300(C185E3R3P1).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/24/2023
The vulnerability CVE-2019-5221 represents a critical path traversal flaw within Huawei Share functionality that affects specific Mate 20 X device models. This security weakness stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize file paths during data transfer operations. The vulnerability specifically impacts devices running software versions prior to Ever-L29B 9.1.0.300 with various build variants including C432E3R1P12, C636E3R2P1, and C185E3R3P1, creating a persistent risk across multiple firmware releases. The flaw resides in the file transfer protocol implementation where the system accepts user-supplied paths without sufficient validation, allowing malicious actors to manipulate the destination directory during file transport operations. This represents a fundamental breakdown in the principle of least privilege and input sanitization that is critical for mobile device security.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability enables an attacker to perform unauthorized file placement on the affected Huawei devices by crafting malicious file paths during the share operation process. When users engage with Huawei Share for file transfer, the application fails to validate the absolute or relative path components provided by the sender, allowing path traversal sequences such as ../ or ../../ to be inserted into the file destination specification. This vulnerability maps directly to CWE-22 Path Traversal and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, as it enables attackers to place files in arbitrary locations within the device filesystem. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it operates at the application level within the device's file system interface, bypassing normal access controls and potentially allowing the placement of malicious executables or configuration files in system directories.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized file placement to encompass potential system compromise and data integrity violations. An attacker could leverage this flaw to place malicious files in critical system directories, potentially enabling privilege escalation or persistent backdoor installation. The vulnerability affects the core file sharing functionality of Huawei devices, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users might unknowingly accept file transfers from untrusted sources. Mobile devices are particularly vulnerable to such attacks due to their typically less restrictive file system permissions compared to server environments, and the lack of proper input validation creates a direct pathway for attackers to manipulate the device's file structure. The risk is amplified by the fact that this vulnerability affects multiple firmware versions, suggesting a systemic issue in the implementation rather than a one-time coding error.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-5221 should prioritize immediate firmware updates from Huawei to address the underlying path traversal implementation flaw. Users should avoid accepting file transfers from untrusted sources and implement network-level filtering to prevent unauthorized access to device sharing services. The recommended approach includes enabling strict input validation on all path components within the file transfer protocols, implementing proper path normalization routines, and enforcing directory restrictions that prevent traversal beyond designated safe zones. Security controls should include monitoring for suspicious file placement patterns and implementing automated scanning for malicious file types in system directories. Organizations deploying Huawei devices should consider implementing mobile device management solutions that can enforce security policies and prevent the execution of unauthorized file operations. The vulnerability underscores the importance of proper input validation in mobile applications and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of file handling operations, particularly in share and transfer functionalities that are commonly used in enterprise environments.