CVE-2019-5220 : What You Need to Know

Several smartphones by Huawei are vulnerable to a Factory Reset Protection (FRP) bypass due to insufficient permission verification, allowing attackers to bypass FRP protection.

Understanding CVE-2019-5220

What is CVE-2019-5220?

CVE-2019-5220 is a vulnerability that affects Huawei smartphones, including Mate 20 X, Mate 20, and Honor Magic 2, enabling an attacker to bypass Factory Reset Protection (FRP).

The Impact of CVE-2019-5220

The vulnerability allows unauthorized individuals to bypass FRP protection on the affected Huawei devices, potentially leading to unauthorized access to the devices.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-5220

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from insufficient permission verification during the setup wizard on the affected Huawei smartphones.

Affected Systems and Versions

Mate 20 X: Versions earlier than Ever-AL00B 9.0.0.200(C00E200R2P1)
Mate 20: Versions earlier than Hima-AL00B/Hima-TL00B 9.0.0.200(C00E200R2P1)
Honor Magic 2: Versions earlier than Tony-AL00B/Tony-TL00B 9.0.0.182(C00E180R2P2)

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability during the setup wizard process to perform specific operations that allow them to bypass FRP protection.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the affected devices to the recommended versions that address the vulnerability.
Be cautious while setting up the device and avoid granting unnecessary permissions.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update your device's software to ensure the latest security patches are applied.
Avoid installing apps from untrusted sources to minimize the risk of similar vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Huawei may release security patches to fix the vulnerability; ensure your device is up to date with the latest firmware.