CVE-2020-1833 in Honor 9X
Summary
by MITRE
Honor 9X smartphones with versions earlier than 9.1.1.172(C00E170R8P1) have an improper authentication vulnerability. A logic error occurs when handling clock function, an attacker should do a series of crafted operations quickly before the phone is unlocked, successful exploit could allow the attacker to access clock information without unlock the phone.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/21/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-1833 affects Honor 9X smartphones running firmware versions prior to 9.1.1.172(C00E170R8P1) and represents a critical weakness in the device's authentication mechanism. This flaw resides in the handling of clock functions within the smartphone's operating system, creating a logical error that can be exploited by malicious actors. The vulnerability specifically targets the authentication process during the phone unlock sequence, where an attacker can manipulate the system through rapid, carefully crafted operations to bypass normal security protocols.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from a logic error in how the device processes time-related functions during the authentication cycle. When the smartphone attempts to verify user credentials and unlock the device, the clock handling mechanism fails to properly validate the temporal sequence of operations. This logical flaw creates an exploitable window where an attacker can perform a series of rapid actions that manipulate the system's understanding of time and authentication states. The vulnerability does not directly grant full device access but allows unauthorized access to clock information, which can serve as a stepping stone for further exploitation.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability compromises the fundamental security model of the smartphone by allowing attackers to access time-related data without proper authentication. The clock information accessed through this vulnerability could potentially reveal patterns in device usage, user behavior, or serve as a foundation for more sophisticated attacks targeting other system components. The attack requires specific timing and sequence of operations, making it somewhat challenging to exploit but not impossible for determined adversaries. This weakness undermines the device's ability to maintain secure authentication boundaries and represents a failure in the principle of least privilege within the mobile security architecture.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control in software systems, and demonstrates how time-based authentication mechanisms can be compromised through logical errors in implementation. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and credential access, specifically targeting the device's authentication subsystem. The exploitability of this vulnerability is enhanced by the fact that it requires minimal user interaction beyond the initial unlock attempt, making it particularly dangerous in environments where smartphones are frequently accessed. Organizations and users should prioritize updating to the patched firmware version 9.1.1.172(C00E170R8P1) to mitigate this risk and prevent potential exploitation that could lead to broader security compromises.