CVE-2026-49313 in HarmonyOS
Summary
by MITRE • 09/09/2026
Permission control vulnerability in the app lock module. Impact: Successful exploitation of this vulnerability may affect service confidentiality.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/09/2026
The identified security flaw resides within the application locking mechanism, a feature commonly deployed to restrict access to sensitive mobile applications based on user authentication credentials such as passwords, PINs, or biometric data. This specific vulnerability stems from an inadequate implementation of permission controls and authorization checks during the validation process. Rather than strictly enforcing that only authenticated users with valid privileges can bypass the lock screen, the underlying logic fails to properly verify the integrity of the access request before granting entry. This represents a classic case of broken access control where the system trusts input or state without sufficient verification against established security policies. The root cause is typically found in how the application handles session states and intent filters, allowing an attacker to manipulate these elements to circumvent the authentication gate entirely.
From a technical perspective, this flaw allows for unauthorized bypassing of the app lock protection layer. An adversary can exploit this by crafting specific intents or manipulating system-level permissions to trigger the unlock sequence without providing valid credentials. This might involve sending broadcast receivers that mimic legitimate unlock requests or exploiting race conditions in the authentication module where the check is performed after the action has already been executed. The vulnerability essentially renders the confidentiality controls provided by the app lock feature ineffective, as it does not enforce mandatory access control principles required to protect sensitive data stored within these applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant regarding service confidentiality and user privacy. Since application locks are primarily used to shield personal communications, financial information, health records, or corporate documents from unauthorized physical access, bypassing them exposes all content within the locked apps to any individual with device access. This could lead to severe data breaches, identity theft, or exposure of proprietary business intelligence depending on the nature of the applications involved. For enterprise environments utilizing mobile device management solutions that rely on app locking for compliance, this flaw undermines security postures and may result in non-compliance with regulatory standards such as GDPR, HIPAA, or PCI-DSS which mandate strict access controls over sensitive data repositories.
This vulnerability aligns closely with CWE-284 Improper Access Control and CWE-798 Use of Hard-coded Credentials if the bypass relies on default backdoor logic, though it most frequently maps to CWE-639 Authorization Bypass Through User-Controlled Key or similar authorization flaws where the system fails to enforce restrictions. In terms of offensive security frameworks, this behavior is consistent with MITRE ATT&CK technique T1078 Valid Accounts if an attacker uses stolen credentials, but more accurately reflects lateral movement or privilege escalation techniques where initial access leads to unauthorized data exfiltration without proper authentication steps being completed. It also touches upon T1564 Hide Execution Artifacts if the bypass is achieved through stealthy manipulation of system processes.
To mitigate this vulnerability, developers must implement robust authorization checks at every entry point within the app lock module. This includes ensuring that all unlock requests are validated against a secure session state and that no logic exists that allows skipping authentication steps based on external inputs or intent parameters. Implementing strict input validation and sanitization for any data passed to the locking mechanism is essential. Furthermore, employing multi-factor authentication adds an additional layer of security that complicates bypass attempts. Security testing should include rigorous penetration testing focused on authorization flows and race conditions within the lock screen implementation. Regular code audits using static application security testing tools can help identify these logic flaws early in the development lifecycle before deployment to end users.