CVE-2020-9237 in Taurus-AL00B
Summary
by MITRE
Huawei smartphone Taurus-AL00B with versions earlier than 10.1.0.126(C00E125R5P3) have a user after free vulnerability. A module is lack of lock protection. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by launching specific request. This could compromise normal service of the affected device.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/18/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-9237 affects Huawei Taurus-AL00B smartphones running firmware versions prior to 10.1.0.126(C00E125R5P3). This represents a critical user-after-free vulnerability that stems from insufficient lock protection mechanisms within a specific software module. The flaw manifests when the system fails to properly manage memory allocation and deallocation processes, creating opportunities for malicious exploitation through carefully crafted requests. The vulnerability falls under the category of memory safety issues and aligns with CWE-416 which addresses use after free conditions where program memory is accessed after it has been freed. Such vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous because they can lead to arbitrary code execution and complete system compromise.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a module that lacks proper synchronization mechanisms or mutex locks during memory management operations. When legitimate operations occur, the system may free memory resources while other processes or threads are still attempting to access them. Attackers can exploit this timing window by sending specific requests that trigger the module to perform operations on already freed memory locations. This creates a scenario where malicious code can manipulate the freed memory space to redirect execution flow or inject malicious payloads. The lack of proper locking protocols means that concurrent access to shared resources occurs without adequate protection, making the system susceptible to race conditions and memory corruption attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially enable full system compromise. When exploited successfully, attackers can gain unauthorized access to the device's core functionalities and potentially escalate privileges to system-level access. The compromised device may exhibit unpredictable behavior, including application crashes, data corruption, or complete system instability. More concerning is that this vulnerability could allow attackers to install persistent backdoors or malware that remains active even after device restarts. The normal service disruption affects not just individual applications but the entire operating system framework, potentially compromising user privacy and data security. This vulnerability particularly impacts mobile devices where users store sensitive personal information, financial data, and corporate credentials.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-9237 should prioritize immediate firmware updates from Huawei to version 10.1.0.126(C00E125R5P3) or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the lock protection deficiencies. System administrators and device users should implement comprehensive security monitoring to detect any anomalous behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper memory management and synchronization mechanisms in mobile operating systems, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1070.004 for indicator removal on host. Organizations should also consider implementing network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation patterns and maintain regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other mobile platforms and applications.