CVE-2021-22464 in HarmonyOS
Summary
by MITRE • 10/28/2021
A component of the HarmonyOS has a Out-of-bounds Read vulnerability. Local attackers may exploit this vulnerability to cause system Soft Restart.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/03/2021
The CVE-2021-22464 vulnerability represents a critical out-of-bounds read flaw within a HarmonyOS component that fundamentally compromises system stability and security integrity. This vulnerability exists within the operating system framework of Huawei's HarmonyOS platform, which serves as the foundation for various IoT devices and smart appliances. The flaw manifests as an improper bounds checking mechanism that fails to validate memory access boundaries during component execution, creating a pathway for malicious exploitation. Such vulnerabilities are particularly concerning in embedded systems and IoT environments where system reliability directly impacts user safety and device functionality. The vulnerability's classification as an out-of-bounds read aligns with CWE-129, which specifically addresses insufficient validation of length of input buffers, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write operations that can lead to similar system instability issues.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires local access to the affected HarmonyOS device, meaning an attacker must already have physical or authenticated access to the target system. This prerequisite significantly reduces the attack surface compared to remotely exploitable vulnerabilities, yet the impact remains severe as it can trigger a soft restart of the entire system. The soft restart mechanism effectively disrupts normal device operation and can potentially be leveraged to create denial-of-service conditions or to mask more sophisticated attacks. The memory corruption resulting from the out-of-bounds read likely occurs when the vulnerable component attempts to access memory locations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries, causing unpredictable behavior that manifests as system instability.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability presents significant risks to organizations deploying HarmonyOS-based devices in critical infrastructure environments. The ability to induce soft restarts can lead to service interruptions, data loss, and potential safety hazards in IoT deployments where continuous operation is essential. The local attack requirement means that physical security measures become paramount, as unauthorized access to devices could enable exploitation. This vulnerability also raises concerns about the overall security posture of Huawei's IoT ecosystem, as compromised devices could serve as entry points for broader network attacks or as persistent footholds for attackers seeking to maintain long-term access to target environments. The impact extends beyond simple system disruption to potentially enable more complex attack vectors that leverage the restart capability to evade detection or reset security mechanisms.
Security mitigations for CVE-2021-22464 should prioritize immediate patch deployment for affected HarmonyOS versions, with particular attention to devices that operate in sensitive environments. Organizations should implement robust access controls and authentication mechanisms to prevent unauthorized local access to affected devices. Network segmentation and monitoring systems should be enhanced to detect unusual restart patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of comprehensive input validation and bounds checking in embedded systems development, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1499.001 for network denial of service and T1070.004 for indicator removal on host. Device manufacturers should also consider implementing runtime integrity checks and anomaly detection mechanisms that can identify and respond to out-of-bounds memory access patterns. Regular security assessments and code reviews focusing on buffer management and memory handling should be conducted to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in future system components.