CVE-2019-5301 in Honor V20
Summary
by MITRE
Huawei smart phones Honor V20 with the versions before 9.0.1.161(C00E161R2P2) have an information leak vulnerability. An attacker may trick a user into installing a malicious application. Due to coding error during layer information processing, attackers can exploit this vulnerability to obtain some layer information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/21/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-5301 affects Huawei Honor V20 smartphones running firmware versions prior to 9.0.1.161(C00E161R2P2). This represents a critical information disclosure flaw that stems from improper handling of layer information within the device's software architecture. The vulnerability resides in the mobile operating system's processing mechanisms where developers failed to adequately validate or sanitize layer data during routine operations. Such coding errors create exploitable conditions that allow malicious actors to gain unauthorized access to sensitive system information through carefully crafted applications.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a sophisticated social engineering attack vector where an attacker must first convince a user to install a malicious application. This initial compromise serves as the foothold for deeper system infiltration. The underlying flaw manifests during layer information processing, where the system fails to properly isolate or protect sensitive metadata that should remain within secure operational boundaries. This coding deficiency creates an information leak channel that exposes layer-related data structures, potentially including memory addresses, system configurations, or other operational details that could be leveraged for further attacks.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability significantly undermines the security posture of affected devices by providing attackers with valuable reconnaissance information. The leaked layer information could enable adversaries to understand the device's internal architecture, memory layout, or operational processes, which are essential elements for crafting more sophisticated attacks. According to the CWE classification system, this vulnerability maps to CWE-200, Information Exposure, which encompasses various scenarios where sensitive information is unintentionally made available to unauthorized actors. The exposure of layer information could facilitate subsequent attacks such as privilege escalation, memory corruption exploits, or advanced persistent threat operations that rely on detailed system knowledge.
The attack surface for this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the leaked layer data could be instrumental in developing more targeted exploitation techniques. Security researchers have noted that such information leaks often serve as prerequisites for more serious vulnerabilities, as they provide attackers with the detailed knowledge required to bypass security controls or exploit other weaknesses within the system. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1068 Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, where the initial information leak enables more sophisticated attack chains. Organizations and users should consider this vulnerability as part of a broader threat landscape where initial reconnaissance can lead to complete system compromise. The recommended mitigation strategy involves immediate firmware updates to version 9.0.1.161(C00E161R2P2) or later, which contains the necessary code fixes to properly handle layer information processing and prevent unauthorized information disclosure. Additionally, users should maintain vigilance against suspicious application installations and implement comprehensive mobile device management policies to reduce the risk of successful exploitation attempts.