CVE-2004-2626 in Phone
Summary
by MITRE
gui overlay vulnerability in the java api in siemens s55 cellular phones allows remote attackers to send unauthorized sms messages by overlaying a confirmation message with a malicious message.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/17/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2004-2626 represents a significant security flaw in the Java API implementation of Siemens S55 cellular phones, specifically within the graphical user interface overlay mechanism. This issue stems from inadequate input validation and security controls in the phone's operating system, which allows malicious actors to exploit the graphical overlay functionality to manipulate user interactions. The vulnerability specifically affects the way the device handles confirmation dialogs and user prompts, creating an attack surface where unauthorized parties can intercept or manipulate SMS transmission processes through deceptive graphical interfaces.
The technical implementation of this flaw involves the exploitation of the Java-based application environment that Siemens implemented in their S55 series devices. When users interact with SMS functionality, the phone's graphical overlay system should properly validate all user inputs and confirmations before executing sensitive operations. However, the vulnerability allows attackers to create malicious overlay interfaces that appear to be legitimate confirmation prompts while actually triggering unauthorized SMS transmission. This overlay mechanism operates at the application layer of the phone's Java Virtual Machine, leveraging the platform's graphical capabilities to deceive users into unwittingly authorizing malicious SMS messages.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates a serious risk for mobile device security and user privacy, particularly in environments where mobile communications are critical for business operations or personal safety. The ability to send unauthorized SMS messages remotely without user knowledge represents a sophisticated attack vector that could be exploited for financial fraud, social engineering campaigns, or malicious communication disruption. The vulnerability affects not only individual users but also enterprise environments where mobile devices may be used for secure communications or access control systems. The attack requires minimal technical expertise to execute, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by threat actors with basic knowledge of mobile security mechanisms.
The security implications extend beyond simple unauthorized messaging, as this vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental flaw in the trust model of mobile applications and user interface interactions. It represents a violation of the principle of least privilege and proper access control mechanisms, where user consent and system validation are bypassed through graphical deception. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-693, which addresses protection mechanism failures in software systems, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for application layer attacks targeting mobile platforms. The vulnerability also reflects broader concerns about mobile application sandboxing and the security of Java-based mobile environments, particularly in the context of legacy mobile device security models that did not adequately account for sophisticated overlay-based attacks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on both immediate device-level fixes and broader architectural improvements. Device manufacturers should implement proper input validation and overlay permission controls within the Java API to prevent unauthorized graphical manipulation. Users should be advised to avoid downloading untrusted applications and to keep device firmware updated when patches become available. Network operators should consider implementing SMS message monitoring systems to detect unusual transmission patterns that might indicate exploitation of this vulnerability. The security community should also evaluate similar vulnerabilities in other mobile platforms that utilize Java-based environments and graphical overlay systems. Additionally, this vulnerability highlights the importance of secure mobile application development practices and the need for comprehensive security testing of mobile GUI components to prevent similar issues in future device implementations.