CyberSecBulletin
CVE-2023-39403NVD status: Modified

HarmonyOS: Improperly Implemented Security Check for Standard

CVE-2023-39403 is a critical-severity improperly implemented security check for standard vulnerability in HarmonyOS from Huawei, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.1 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 0.38% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.

Patch this week

Critical severity: a successful attack would have severe impact.

What to do

  1. Check which version of HarmonyOS you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
  2. Read the advisory on consumer.huawei.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
  3. Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.

Affected products and versions

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed in
HuaweiHarmonyOS3.1.0; 3.0.0; 2.1.0; 2.0.0; 2.0.1Not stated
HuaweiEMUI13.0.0; 12.0.1; 12.0.0; 11.0.1Not 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
HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
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:H/I:H/A:N. Scored by NVD.

Scoring systemScoreSeverityScored by
CVSS 3.19.1CriticalNVD
CVSS 3.19.1CriticalCISA (ADP)

Official description

Parameter verification vulnerability in the installd module. Successful exploitation of this vulnerability may cause sandbox files to be read and written without authorization.

Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.

The underlying weakness: Improperly Implemented Security Check for Standard

The product does not implement or incorrectly implements one or more security-relevant checks as specified by the design of a standardized algorithm, protocol, or technique.

More Improperly Implemented Security Check for Standard vulnerabilities (CWE-358)

Timeline

  1. CVE record published.
  2. CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: yes, technical impact: total).
  3. Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).

References

Other vulnerabilities in HarmonyOS

All HarmonyOS vulnerabilities

Recent Improperly Implemented Security Check for Standard vulnerabilities

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