CVE-2019-5299 in Mobile Phone
Summary
by MITRE
Huawei mobile phones Hima-AL00Bhave with Versions earlier than HMA-AL00C00B175 have a signature verification bypass vulnerability. Attackers can induce users to install malicious applications. Due to a defect in the signature verification logic, the malicious applications can invoke specific interface to execute malicious code. A successful exploit may result in the execution of arbitrary code.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/25/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-5299 represents a critical signature verification bypass flaw affecting Huawei mobile devices, specifically the Hima-AL00B model and earlier versions up to HMA-AL00C00B175. This weakness resides in the Android-based operating system implementation of Huawei smartphones and exploits a fundamental flaw in the application installation and execution verification mechanisms. The vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of digital signatures during the application installation process, creating an exploitable condition that allows malicious actors to bypass the normal security controls designed to prevent unauthorized code execution.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a defect in the signature verification logic that governs how the device validates applications before granting execution privileges. When a user attempts to install an application, the system should verify the digital signature against a trusted certificate authority to ensure authenticity and integrity. However, in affected Huawei devices, this verification process contains a logical flaw that permits malicious applications to pass the signature check by invoking specific interfaces that bypass the standard verification pathways. This allows attackers to craft applications that appear legitimate to the system while containing malicious payloads that can execute with elevated privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it fundamentally undermines the security model of the mobile platform. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can install and execute arbitrary code on the target device without user interaction or explicit consent, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability enables malicious applications to gain access to sensitive data, modify system files, install additional malware, and potentially establish persistent backdoors. This type of attack vector aligns with the attack technique described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation.
The security implications of this vulnerability are particularly concerning given the widespread deployment of affected Huawei devices globally. The flaw represents a failure in the security-by-design principles that should govern mobile operating system development, specifically in the area of application integrity verification. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability would be categorized under CWE-290 authentication bypass, as it allows unauthorized code execution through compromised signature verification mechanisms. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it affects the core operating system functionality rather than just individual applications, making it a critical security concern for enterprise and consumer users alike.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate firmware updates from Huawei to address the signature verification logic flaw, along with proper application sandboxing measures to limit the potential damage from compromised applications. Users should avoid installing applications from untrusted sources and maintain current security patches. Organizations should implement mobile device management solutions to monitor and control application installation activities, while also conducting regular security assessments of their mobile infrastructure to identify similar vulnerabilities. The remediation process should also include proper security testing of mobile applications and adherence to secure coding practices that prevent similar signature verification bypass scenarios from occurring in future implementations.