CVE-2019-5244 in Mate 9 Pro
Summary
by MITRE
Mate 9 Pro Huawei smartphones earlier than LON-L29C 8.0.0.361(C636) versions have an information leak vulnerability due to the lack of input validation. An attacker tricks the user who has root privilege to install an application on the smart phone, and the application can read some process information, which may cause sensitive information leak.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/28/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-5244 affects Huawei Mate 9 Pro smartphones running Android 8.0.0 versions prior to LON-L29C 8.0.0.361(C636). This represents a critical information disclosure flaw that stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms within the device's operating system. The vulnerability specifically targets the mobile operating environment and exploits a weakness in how the system handles process information access, creating a pathway for unauthorized data exposure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a sophisticated social engineering attack vector where an attacker must first convince a user with root privileges to install a malicious application. This prerequisite is crucial as it demonstrates the need for user interaction to establish the initial compromise, aligning with attack patterns documented in the ATT&CK framework under initial access techniques. The malicious application leverages the system's insufficient validation controls to gain access to process information that should normally be restricted. This information leak occurs through improper access control mechanisms that fail to properly validate or sanitize input parameters before granting process information access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as it can potentially compromise the entire security posture of the affected device. When an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability, they can extract sensitive process information that may include system configuration details, running applications, memory structures, and other confidential data that could be used for further exploitation. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-20, which describes "Improper Input Validation" as the underlying weakness, and it represents a significant concern for mobile security environments where root privileges are often present in enterprise or advanced user scenarios.
Security professionals must recognize that this vulnerability creates a persistent threat vector that can be exploited across multiple attack surfaces. The information leakage could potentially reveal system internals that would aid in developing more sophisticated attacks, including privilege escalation techniques or targeted exploitation of other system components. Organizations should implement comprehensive monitoring solutions to detect unusual process access patterns and ensure that all affected devices receive immediate firmware updates. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of user security awareness training, as the exploitation requires social engineering to gain initial access through root privilege users, making it a prime example of how human factors can compound technical security weaknesses.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate firmware updates to the affected Huawei devices, ensuring that all users upgrade to versions that include proper input validation controls and access restriction mechanisms. Network administrators should implement device management policies that prevent unauthorized application installations and maintain strict control over root access privileges. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of input validation in mobile operating systems, particularly in environments where root access is possible, and demonstrates how seemingly minor validation gaps can create significant security risks. Security teams should also consider implementing behavioral analytics to detect anomalous process access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, while maintaining compliance with industry standards that require robust input validation controls to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in future implementations.