CVE-2022-39075
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows malicious applications installed on affected ZTE mobile phones to delete system files without user permission. It affects users of specific ZTE smartphone models who install untrusted applications.
💻 Affected Systems
- ZTE mobile phones
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete device compromise including bricking the phone, data loss, or privilege escalation leading to full system control.
Likely Case
Malicious apps deleting critical system files causing device instability, crashes, or loss of functionality.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if users only install apps from trusted sources and maintain updated device software.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires user to install malicious application; no public exploit code available
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Not specified in public references
Vendor Advisory: https://support.zte.com.cn/support/news/LoopholeInfoDetail.aspx?newsId=1030664
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Check for system updates in phone settings. 2. Install latest firmware update from ZTE. 3. Restart device after update completes.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict app installations
allOnly install applications from official app stores and avoid sideloading untrusted APKs
Review app permissions
allRegularly review and restrict unnecessary app permissions, especially file system access
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Only install applications from official app stores (Google Play Store)
- Enable device security features and avoid rooting/jailbreaking the device
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check device model and firmware version against ZTE security advisoriesCheck Version:
Settings > About Phone > Software InformationVerify Fix Applied:
Verify firmware version is updated to latest available and no unauthorized file deletions occur📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unexpected system file deletions
- App permission escalation attempts
- File system modification by non-system apps
Network Indicators:
- Downloads from untrusted sources
- Suspicious app update behavior
SIEM Query:
Not applicable for mobile device monitoring