CVE-2024-28951 in OpenHarmony
Summary
by MITRE • 04/02/2024
in OpenHarmony v4.0.0 and prior versions allow a local attacker arbitrary code execution in pre-installed apps through use after free.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/24/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-28951 affects OpenHarmony versions 4.0.0 and earlier, presenting a critical security risk that enables local attackers to achieve arbitrary code execution within pre-installed applications. This flaw stems from a use-after-free condition that occurs when memory allocated to application components is accessed after it has been freed, creating a predictable exploitation vector for malicious actors. The vulnerability specifically targets the runtime environment of pre-installed applications, which are typically granted elevated privileges and have deeper system integration compared to regular user applications. Such a condition allows attackers to manipulate memory layout and potentially execute malicious code with the privileges of the targeted application.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability follows a classic use-after-free pattern where an application or system component allocates memory for an object, subsequently frees that memory, but continues to reference the freed memory location. In the context of OpenHarmony, this occurs within the pre-installed application framework where memory management routines fail to properly track object lifecycles. When the freed memory is reallocated for other purposes, an attacker can craft specific inputs or conditions that cause the application to execute code from the previously freed memory space. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-416, which specifically addresses use-after-free conditions, and represents a fundamental memory safety issue that has been extensively documented in various operating system and application environments.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-28951 is severe given that it affects pre-installed applications which typically have broader system access and permissions than regular applications. Pre-installed applications in OpenHarmony often serve as core system components or provide essential services that maintain system integrity and functionality. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could gain unauthorized access to sensitive system resources, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The local nature of the attack means that an attacker must already have access to the device, but the privilege escalation potential makes this a particularly dangerous vulnerability. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, and T1068 for local privilege escalation, as the exploitation allows for execution of arbitrary code with elevated privileges.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-28951 should focus on immediate remediation through version updates to OpenHarmony 4.0.1 or later, which contain patches addressing the use-after-free condition. Organizations should implement comprehensive memory safety monitoring and code review processes to identify similar patterns in application code. System administrators should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments of all pre-installed applications and ensure that device firmware and software are kept current with security patches. Additional defensive measures include implementing memory protection mechanisms such as address space layout randomization and stack canaries, which can make exploitation more difficult. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices and memory management in embedded and mobile operating systems, particularly when dealing with pre-installed applications that have elevated system privileges. Regular security audits of system components and implementation of automated vulnerability scanning tools can help identify similar memory safety issues before they can be exploited in the wild.