Vodafone found security flaws in Huawei technology but denies backdoor
Vodafone has denied reports it found a so-called backdoor in Huawei equipment, but confirmed it identified security flaws in the firm’s technology.
The telecoms firm said it found security vulnerabilities in two Huawei products supplied to its Italian business in 2011 and 2012, and that the issue had been resolved quickly.
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But it denied reports the weaknesses amounted to a backdoor giving the Chinese firm unauthorised access to its fixed-line network in Italy.
“The issues in Italy were all resolved and date back to 2011 and 2012,” a spokesperson for Vodafone said.
“In addition, we have no evidence of any unauthorised access. This was nothing more than a failure to remove a diagnostic function after development.”
Despite this, the security issues, first reported by Bloomberg, will come as a huge blow to the troubled Chinese firm, which is trying to shake off accusations of spying.
Huawei has found itself at the centre of a political storm amid concerns over its role in global 5G networks.
Earlier this week the US, which has led calls for a ban on the firm, reiterated warnings that Washington will reassess intelligence-sharing agreements with allies that use Huawei’s equipment.
“It is the United States’ position that putting Huawei or any other untrustworthy vendor in any part of the 5G telecommunications network is a risk,” said state department deputy assistant secretary Robert Strayer.
Last week it emerged the government plans to ban Huawei from core parts of the UK’s 5G network, but will allow its to participate in non-core areas.
However, the government is yet to confirm its verdict on Huawei, and the reports have sparked an inquiry amid concerns confidential security information was leaked illegally.
The Chinese firm has always denied accusations it could be involved in state-sponsored spying, and has accused the US of mounting a politically-motivated smear campaign.
“The story published by Bloomberg today is misleading,” a Huawei spokesperson said.
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“It refers to a maintenance and diagnostic function, common across the industry, as well as vulnerabilities, which were corrected over seven years ago. There is absolutely no truth in the suggestion that Huawei conceals backdoors in its equipment.”
The National Cyber Security Centre, which carries out independent testing on Huawei's products, has previously identified vulnerabilities in the firm's technology, and has warned it could pose a threat to national security.