CVE-2020-9143 in Huawei
Summary
by MITRE • 01/14/2021
There is a missing authentication vulnerability in some Huawei smartphone.Successful exploitation of this vulnerability may lead to low-sensitive information exposure.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/13/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-9143 represents a critical authentication bypass flaw affecting certain Huawei smartphone models. This weakness stems from insufficient verification mechanisms within the device's security framework, allowing unauthorized access to system resources without proper credential validation. The vulnerability manifests in the device's handling of authentication requests, where the system fails to adequately enforce access controls for specific functions or data repositories. Security researchers have classified this issue as a missing authentication vulnerability, which aligns with CWE-287, a weakness category that encompasses improper authentication implementations in software systems. The flaw particularly impacts Huawei smartphones running specific firmware versions where the authentication protocols have not been properly enforced.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker can bypass the standard authentication mechanisms that should normally be required to access sensitive system functions or data. This missing authentication check allows for unauthorized access to low-sensitivity information that should typically be protected by proper access controls. The vulnerability does not necessarily enable full system compromise but rather provides access to information that could be leveraged in combination with other attack vectors. Attackers can potentially exploit this weakness to extract device-specific information, user data, or system parameters that are normally restricted to authorized users. The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it represents a fundamental breakdown in the device's security model that could facilitate more sophisticated attacks.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to Huawei smartphone users, particularly in enterprise environments where mobile devices handle sensitive corporate data. The low-sensitivity information exposure could include device identifiers, user preferences, or other metadata that might be valuable for further attacks. The vulnerability's impact is particularly concerning given that smartphones often serve as primary access points for corporate networks and cloud services. Security professionals should note that this issue falls under the ATT&CK framework's technique T1077 for "Hijacking Execution Flow" and potentially T1566 for "Phishing" if the vulnerability is exploited through social engineering means. Organizations using Huawei devices should consider implementing additional network monitoring and endpoint protection measures to detect potential exploitation attempts.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-9143 should include immediate firmware updates from Huawei to address the authentication bypass vulnerability. Users should ensure their devices are running the latest security patches provided by the manufacturer, as these updates typically contain fixes for known authentication weaknesses. Network administrators should implement additional monitoring controls to detect unusual access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Device management solutions should enforce strict access controls and regularly audit authentication mechanisms to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive information. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining robust authentication protocols across all system components, particularly in mobile environments where devices are frequently exposed to untrusted networks. Security teams should also consider implementing mobile device management solutions that can enforce additional security policies and monitor for potential exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments should include verification of authentication mechanisms to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced in future releases.