Trustwave SpiderLabs Security Advisory TWSL2021-008:
Code Execution Vulnerability in Huawei Mobile Broadband HL Service 

Published: 06/02/2021
Version: 1.1

Vendor:  Huawei (http://www.huawei.com)
Product: Mobile Broadband HL Service (HiLink)
Versions affected: 22.001.33.03.03 on MacOS

Product description:
Software to manage Huawei LTE USB Dongle products.

Finding 1: Huawei Mobile Broadband HL Service code execution vulnerability
Credit: Martin Rakhmanov of Trustwave
 
Unprivileged users can run code as other users (including privileged ones) on a
MacOS systems where HiLink software is installed. This is possible due to weak
filesystem permissions on the following file:

/Library/StartupItems/MobileBrServ/mbbserviceopen.app/Contents/MacOS/mbbserviceopen

This file is world writable and is used to launch a web browser each time a
Huawei USB modem is connected to the computer. Malicious users can modify the
file to execute arbitrary code and wait until other user logs on and connects a
USB modem.

Remediation Steps:
Upgrade the Hilink products tool to version 22.001.34.02.03 or the latest stable version.

Revision History:
10/07/2020 - Initial email communication to multiple security and support email
addresses.
12/15/2020 - Non-responsive to initial email communications.  Contacted Huawei
U.S. support via phone.  Support provided the contact information:
tac.usa@huawei.com
12/16/2020 – Trustwave attempted to connect to provided email addresses multiple
times. No response.
06/02/2021 - Advisory version 1.0 published
06/02/2021 - Vendor release patch
06/02/2021 - Advisory version 1.1 published

References
1. https://www.huawei.com/en/psirt/security-advisories/huawei-sa-20210602-01-permission-en

About Trustwave:
Trustwave is the leading provider of on-demand and subscription-based
information security and payment card industry compliance management
solutions to businesses and government entities throughout the world. For
organizations faced with today's challenging data security and compliance
environment, Trustwave provides a unique approach with comprehensive
solutions that include its flagship TrustKeeper compliance management
software and other proprietary security solutions. Trustwave has helped
thousands of organizations--ranging from Fortune 500 businesses and large
financial institutions to small and medium-sized retailers--manage
compliance and secure their network infrastructure, data communications and
critical information assets. Trustwave is headquartered in Chicago with
offices throughout North America, South America, Europe, Africa, China and
Australia. For more information, visit https://www.trustwave.com

About Trustwave SpiderLabs:
SpiderLabs(R) is the advanced security team at Trustwave focused on
application security, incident response, penetration testing, physical
security and security research. The team has performed over a thousand
incident investigations, thousands of penetration tests and hundreds of
application security tests globally. In addition, the SpiderLabs Research
team provides intelligence through bleeding-edge research and proof of
concept tool development to enhance Trustwave's products and services.
https://www.trustwave.com/spiderlabs

Disclaimer:
The information provided in this advisory is provided "as is" without
warranty of any kind. Trustwave disclaims all warranties, either express or
implied, including the warranties of merchantability and fitness for a
particular purpose. In no event shall Trustwave or its suppliers be liable
for any damages whatsoever including direct, indirect, incidental,
consequential, loss of business profits or special damages, even if
Trustwave or its suppliers have been advised of the possibility of such
damages. Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of liability
for consequential or incidental damages so the foregoing limitation may not
apply.