CVE-2005-0681 in Symbian
Summary
by MITRE
Nokia Symbian 60 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (phone restart) via a Bluetooth nickname.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/06/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-0681 represents a significant security flaw in Nokia Symbian 60 operating system implementations that specifically affects Bluetooth-enabled mobile devices. This issue demonstrates how wireless communication protocols can be exploited to disrupt device functionality without requiring physical access or complex attack vectors. The vulnerability specifically targets the Bluetooth nickname handling mechanism within the Symbian 60 platform, which is commonly used in mobile phones and other portable devices from Nokia's product line.
The technical flaw manifests when a remote attacker crafts and transmits a specially malformed Bluetooth nickname to a vulnerable device running Symbian 60. This malicious nickname triggers an improper handling routine within the Bluetooth stack implementation, causing the device to crash and subsequently restart. The vulnerability exploits a buffer overflow or memory corruption issue within the Bluetooth service layer that processes incoming nickname data. The attack requires no authentication or specialized equipment beyond standard Bluetooth communication capabilities, making it particularly dangerous as it can be executed from considerable distances without the target device needing to be in immediate proximity to the attacker.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates substantial risk for users of Nokia Symbian 60 devices who may unknowingly encounter malicious Bluetooth traffic in public spaces or while connected to networks. The denial of service condition results in complete device restart, potentially causing loss of ongoing communications, data corruption, or interruption of critical services. The vulnerability also represents a potential vector for more sophisticated attacks, as the device restart could be used to disrupt service availability or create opportunities for additional exploitation. This issue particularly affects business users and individuals who rely on mobile communications for professional purposes, as unexpected device restarts can lead to productivity losses and communication failures.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and demonstrates how improper input validation in wireless communication protocols can lead to system instability. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1059.006 for execution through command and script interpreter, specifically targeting the Bluetooth service layer to cause system disruption. Mitigation strategies should include implementing proper input validation for Bluetooth nickname data, applying firmware updates from Nokia that address the specific buffer handling issue, and potentially disabling Bluetooth functionality when not actively needed. Organizations should also consider network monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous Bluetooth traffic patterns and implement device management policies that enforce secure Bluetooth configuration settings to prevent exploitation of this vulnerability.