CVE-2020-9243 in Mate 30
Summary
by MITRE
HUAWEI Mate 30 with versions earlier than 10.1.0.150(C00E136R5P3) have a denial of service vulnerability. The system does not properly limit the depth of recursion, an attacker should trick the user installing and execute a malicious application. Successful exploit could cause a denial of service condition.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/11/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-9243 affects Huawei Mate 30 smartphones running firmware versions prior to 10.1.0.150(C00E136R5P3). This represents a critical security flaw that resides within the device's operating system implementation, specifically concerning how the system handles recursive operations. The vulnerability manifests as an insufficient recursion depth limitation mechanism that can be exploited through malicious application execution, creating a significant risk for device availability and user experience.
The technical flaw stems from inadequate input validation and boundary checking within the system's recursive function handling mechanisms. When a malicious application is installed and executed on the affected device, it can trigger excessive recursive calls that eventually overwhelm the system's stack resources. This particular weakness falls under the CWE-674 category of Uncontrolled Recursion, where recursive functions lack proper termination conditions or depth limits that could be manipulated by adversaries. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires only user interaction to install a malicious application, making it accessible through social engineering or malicious app distribution channels.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple device disruption to potentially compromising the entire user experience and system stability. Successful exploitation results in a denial of service condition that can render the device unusable until manual intervention occurs, such as device reboot or factory reset. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 which covers Network Denial of Service, though in this case it operates at the application level rather than network infrastructure. The vulnerability creates a persistent threat that can affect critical device functions including communications, applications, and system services, potentially leading to complete device lockdown.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate firmware updates to the latest available version that includes proper recursion depth limiting mechanisms. Users must be educated about the importance of only installing applications from trusted sources and maintaining current system updates. System administrators should implement application whitelisting policies and monitor for unusual recursive function behavior in installed applications. Additionally, device manufacturers should incorporate more robust recursion depth checking in their system libraries and implement proper stack overflow protection mechanisms. The vulnerability highlights the necessity of proper code review practices and adherence to secure coding guidelines that address recursive function safety, particularly in mobile operating system implementations where user interaction is required for exploitation.