CVE-2024-9978 in OpenHarmony
Summary
by MITRE • 12/03/2024
in OpenHarmony v4.1.1 and prior versions allow a local attacker cause information leak through out-of-bounds Read.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/03/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-9978 affects OpenHarmony versions 4.1.1 and earlier, representing a critical information disclosure weakness that enables local attackers to execute out-of-bounds read operations. This flaw resides within the operating system's memory management mechanisms, specifically impacting how the system handles buffer boundaries during data processing operations. The vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of array indices or buffer limits, allowing unauthorized local users to access memory locations beyond the intended data boundaries. Such out-of-bounds read conditions typically occur when applications fail to properly validate input parameters or when boundary checks are omitted during memory access operations, creating opportunities for attackers to extract sensitive information from adjacent memory regions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a local attacker exploiting insufficient input validation within OpenHarmony's kernel or system libraries. When processing certain data structures or system calls, the operating system fails to perform adequate boundary checks before accessing memory buffers, enabling the attacker to read data from unauthorized memory locations. This type of flaw commonly manifests in scenarios involving string manipulation, array indexing, or memory allocation operations where the system does not properly verify that accessed indices remain within valid boundaries. The out-of-bounds read operation can potentially expose sensitive kernel memory, configuration data, cryptographic keys, or other confidential information stored in adjacent memory regions. This vulnerability directly relates to CWE-129, which addresses improper validation of array indices, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write vulnerabilities that often share similar root causes.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-9978 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates potential pathways for more sophisticated attacks within the OpenHarmony ecosystem. Local attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can gain access to sensitive system information that may aid in privilege escalation attempts or further compromise of the device. The extracted information could include memory addresses, system configuration details, or partial cryptographic material that could be leveraged to bypass security controls or develop more advanced attack vectors. This vulnerability particularly affects devices running OpenHarmony 4.1.1 and earlier versions, potentially compromising the security posture of IoT devices, embedded systems, and mobile platforms that rely on this operating system. The local nature of the attack means that an attacker must already have access to the device, but the information leak could provide sufficient intelligence for subsequent exploitation phases.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-9978 should prioritize immediate patching of affected OpenHarmony versions to address the underlying buffer validation issues. System administrators should implement comprehensive monitoring to detect unusual memory access patterns or unauthorized data extraction attempts that might indicate exploitation attempts. The remediation process involves strengthening input validation mechanisms and implementing proper boundary checks within all memory access operations. Organizations should also consider deploying runtime protection mechanisms such as address space layout randomization and stack canaries to reduce the effectiveness of potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, regular security assessments should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other system components, as this type of flaw often indicates broader issues with memory safety practices. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059, which covers command and scripting interpreter usage, and T1068, which addresses local privilege escalation, as the information leak could facilitate more advanced attack progression.