HarmonyOS: Improper Authentication
CVE-2024-42038 is a high-severity improper authentication vulnerability in HarmonyOS from Huawei, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.8 out of 10. It can be exploited with local access to the system by an attacker with a low-privileged account, without any action from a user. Affected HarmonyOS versions: 4.2.0; 4.0.0; 3.0.0. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.11% 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.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huawei | HarmonyOS | 4.2.0; 4.0.0; 3.0.0 | Not stated |
| Huawei | EMUI | 14.0.0; 13.0.0 | 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
- LocalThe attacker needs local access or must trick a user into running something.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- LowA basic user account is enough.
- 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
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | 8.8 | High | CNA (huawei.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.8 | High | NVD |
Official description
Vulnerability of PIN enhancement failures in the screen lock module Impact: Successful exploitation of this vulnerability may affect service confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
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: no, 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
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.3 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 8.3 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
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