CVE-2021-22467 in HarmonyOS
Summary
by MITRE • 10/28/2021
A component of the HarmonyOS has a Improper Input Validation vulnerability. Local attackers may exploit this vulnerability to read at any address.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/03/2021
The CVE-2021-22467 vulnerability represents a critical improper input validation flaw within Huawei's HarmonyOS component architecture that fundamentally compromises system integrity and data confidentiality. This vulnerability resides in the operating system's input validation mechanisms, where insufficient sanitization of user-supplied data allows malicious actors to bypass normal security controls. The flaw specifically affects the kernel-level components responsible for memory management and address space validation, creating a pathway for unauthorized data access that extends beyond normal operational boundaries. Such a vulnerability directly violates fundamental security principles and creates an environment where local attackers can exploit the system's trust model to gain access to memory regions they should not be permitted to read.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking and memory validation routines within the HarmonyOS kernel modules. Attackers can craft malicious input sequences that manipulate the system's memory access controls, effectively allowing them to read data from arbitrary memory addresses within the system's address space. This improper input validation creates a privilege escalation vector that operates at the kernel level, where the system's core memory management functions fail to properly validate input parameters before processing them. The vulnerability manifests through insufficient parameter validation in system calls and memory access routines, enabling attackers to construct input payloads that bypass normal access controls and memory protection mechanisms.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to organizations deploying HarmonyOS-based systems, particularly in environments where sensitive data processing occurs. Local attackers with minimal privileges can leverage this flaw to access confidential system information, potentially including cryptographic keys, user credentials, and sensitive application data stored in memory. The impact extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the ability to read arbitrary memory addresses enables attackers to gather intelligence about system state, memory layout, and running processes that can be used for further exploitation. This vulnerability particularly affects devices running Huawei's HarmonyOS ecosystem, including smartphones, tablets, and IoT devices that utilize the affected kernel components.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which describes improper input validation as a fundamental weakness in software security that allows malicious inputs to bypass validation checks and manipulate system behavior. Additionally, this flaw maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.001, which covers command and scripting interpreter usage, as attackers may leverage the read capabilities to gather system information before executing further malicious payloads. The improper input validation creates an attack surface that can be exploited through multiple vectors including local file system access, device drivers, and system service interfaces. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability represents a critical risk in environments where physical access to devices is possible, as local attackers can exploit the flaw without requiring network connectivity or complex attack chains.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2021-22467 should prioritize immediate patch deployment from Huawei, as the vulnerability requires kernel-level fixes to properly validate input parameters and enforce memory access controls. Organizations should implement additional monitoring for suspicious memory access patterns and unauthorized data reading attempts. System administrators should disable unnecessary services and reduce attack surface where possible, while also implementing proper access controls and privilege separation. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of robust input validation in kernel-level code and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of operating system components. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar validation flaws in other system components, as improper input validation remains one of the most prevalent and dangerous software security weaknesses in modern operating systems.