HarmonyOS: Improper Authentication
CVE-2022-48496 is a high-severity improper authentication vulnerability in HarmonyOS from Huawei, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.5 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. Affected HarmonyOS versions: 3.1.0; 3.0.0; 2.1.0, and others listed below. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.32% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Check which version of HarmonyOS you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
- Read the advisory on consumer.huawei.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huawei | HarmonyOS | 3.1.0; 3.0.0; 2.1.0; 2.0.1; 2.0.0 | Not stated |
| Huawei | EMUI | 13.0.0; 12.0.1; 12.0.0; 11.0.1 | Not stated |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- NoneNo data is disclosed.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- NoneAvailability is not affected.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N. Scored by NVD.
Official description
Vulnerability of lax app identity verification in the pre-authorization function.Successful exploitation of this vulnerability will cause malicious apps to become pre-authorized.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Improper Authentication
When an actor claims to have a given identity, the product does not prove or insufficiently proves that the claim is correct.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Use an authentication framework or library such as the OWASP ESAPI Authentication feature.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: yes, technical impact: partial).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Other vulnerabilities in HarmonyOS
- 7.1 High severity
- 8.6 High severity
Recent Improper Authentication vulnerabilities
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 3.9 Low severity
VMware Tools Authentication Bypass Exploited
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
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