CVE-2020-9235 in Honor 20 Pro
Summary
by MITRE
Huawei smartphones HONOR 20 PRO Versions earlier than 10.1.0.230(C432E9R5P1),Versions earlier than 10.1.0.231(C10E3R3P2),Versions earlier than 10.1.0.231(C185E3R5P1),Versions earlier than 10.1.0.231(C636E3R3P1);Versions earlier than 10.1.0.212(C432E10R3P4),Versions earlier than 10.1.0.213(C636E3R4P3),Versions earlier than 10.1.0.214(C10E5R4P3),Versions earlier than 10.1.0.214(C185E3R3P3);Versions earlier than 10.1.0.212(C00E210R5P1);Versions earlier than 10.1.0.160(C00E160R2P11);Versions earlier than 10.1.0.160(C00E160R2P11);Versions earlier than 10.1.0.160(C01E160R2P11);Versions earlier than 10.1.0.160(C00E160R2P11);Versions earlier than 10.1.0.160(C00E160R8P12);Versions earlier than 10.1.0.230(C432E9R5P1),Versions earlier than 10.1.0.231(C10E3R3P2),Versions earlier than 10.1.0.231(C636E3R3P1);Versions earlier than 10.1.0.225(C431E3R1P2),Versions earlier than 10.1.0.225(C432E3R1P2) contain an information vulnerability. A module has a design error that is lack of control of input. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to obtain some information. This can lead to information leak.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/04/2020
This vulnerability resides within Huawei HONOR 20 PRO smartphones running specific firmware versions prior to 10.1.0.230(C432E9R5P1) and related builds. The issue manifests as an information disclosure vulnerability stemming from inadequate input validation mechanisms within a system module. The design flaw allows attackers to manipulate input parameters in a way that bypasses normal security controls, enabling unauthorized access to sensitive information. This represents a fundamental breakdown in the principle of least privilege and input sanitization that forms the cornerstone of secure application development practices.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic case of insufficient input validation as classified under CWE-20, which encompasses weaknesses resulting from inadequate validation of input data. The affected module fails to properly validate or sanitize input parameters, creating an information leak channel that can be exploited through various attack vectors. This weakness allows attackers to craft malicious input sequences that can trigger unintended information exposure, potentially revealing system internals, configuration details, or other sensitive data that should remain protected. The vulnerability operates at the system level rather than application level, making it particularly concerning for mobile devices where multiple system components interact with sensitive user data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can provide attackers with valuable intelligence for subsequent exploitation phases. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could gain insights into the device's internal structure, potentially enabling more sophisticated attacks such as privilege escalation, data manipulation, or further reconnaissance. The information leak could expose device-specific identifiers, system configurations, or other metadata that could be leveraged in conjunction with other vulnerabilities or attack techniques. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1082, which describes discovery of system information, and T1566, which covers credential access through various means including information gathering.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation mechanisms across all system modules, particularly those handling user or external input. Device manufacturers should ensure proper firmware updates are deployed to address the vulnerability, with immediate attention given to affected firmware versions. Security controls should include input sanitization, parameter validation, and proper error handling that prevents information leakage through malformed inputs. Organizations should also implement monitoring solutions to detect anomalous input patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of robust input validation in mobile operating systems and reinforces the need for continuous security assessment of firmware components to prevent similar issues from arising in future releases.