CVE-2018-7938 : Security Advisory and Response

Huawei smartphones running on versions earlier than Victoria-AL00AC00B217 have a vulnerability that exposes user information due to the absence of permission verification. This flaw can be exploited by an attacker who deceives the user into installing a malicious application on their smartphone. Once installed, the application is capable of retrieving certain hardware serial numbers, potentially resulting in the leakage of sensitive information.

Understanding CVE-2018-7938

This CVE identifies an information leak vulnerability in Huawei P10 smartphones running on versions before Victoria-AL00AC00B217.

What is CVE-2018-7938?

CVE-2018-7938 is a security vulnerability found in Huawei P10 smartphones that allows unauthorized access to sensitive user information through a lack of permission validation.

The Impact of CVE-2018-7938

The vulnerability can lead to the leakage of hardware serial numbers and other sensitive data when exploited by malicious applications, potentially compromising user privacy and security.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-7938

Huawei P10 smartphones are affected by this vulnerability due to the following reasons:

Vulnerability Description

Lack of permission validation exposes user information
Attacker can trick users into installing malicious apps
Malicious apps can access hardware serial numbers

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: P10
Vendor: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
Vulnerable Version: The versions before Victoria-AL00AC00B217

Exploitation Mechanism

Attacker deceives user into installing a malicious application
Malicious app retrieves hardware serial numbers

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2018-7938, users and organizations can take the following steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Huawei P10 smartphones to version Victoria-AL00AC00B217 or later
Avoid installing apps from untrusted sources
Regularly monitor for unusual app behavior

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement app permission controls and restrictions
Educate users on safe app installation practices
Conduct regular security audits and assessments

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories from Huawei
Apply security patches promptly to mitigate known vulnerabilities