CVE-2005-1132 in mobile phone
Summary
by MITRE
LG U8120 mobile phone allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (device crash) via a malformed MIDI file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/25/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-1132 affects the LG U8120 mobile phone model, representing a significant security flaw in embedded mobile device software architecture. This vulnerability falls under the category of denial of service attacks, where malicious actors can exploit a specific weakness in the device's multimedia processing capabilities to trigger unintended system behavior. The LG U8120, like many mobile devices of its era, processes various multimedia formats including MIDI files for audio playback, making it susceptible to malformed data injection attacks that can disrupt normal device operation. The vulnerability demonstrates how mobile device manufacturers often fail to implement robust input validation mechanisms for multimedia file processing, creating attack vectors that can be exploited remotely without requiring physical access or specialized equipment. This particular flaw represents a classic example of insufficient input sanitization in mobile operating systems, where the device's audio processing subsystem does not properly validate the structure and content of incoming MIDI files before attempting to parse and execute them.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate boundary checking and input validation within the MIDI file parser component of the LG U8120's operating system. When a malformed MIDI file is processed by the device, the parser encounters unexpected data structures or invalid byte sequences that cause the system to crash or freeze. This behavior typically occurs during the file parsing phase where the device attempts to interpret the MIDI header information and subsequent data blocks. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be triggered remotely through various means such as email attachments, instant messaging, or file downloads from untrusted sources, making it accessible to attackers without requiring physical proximity to the device. The underlying flaw aligns with CWE-129, which describes improper validation of input boundaries, and represents a failure to implement proper error handling and defensive programming practices in the device's multimedia processing pipeline. The attack vector demonstrates how mobile device security often lacks comprehensive input validation mechanisms that could prevent malformed data from causing system-level failures.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple device disruption, as it can affect user productivity and device reliability in enterprise and consumer environments. When exploited successfully, the vulnerability causes the LG U8120 to crash or become unresponsive, requiring manual restart or potentially rendering the device temporarily unusable until the system recovers. This denial of service condition can be particularly problematic for users who rely on their mobile devices for critical communications or business operations. In enterprise settings, such vulnerabilities can compromise the availability of mobile workforce tools and potentially impact business continuity if multiple devices are affected simultaneously. The vulnerability also highlights the broader security landscape of mobile devices in 2005, when security considerations were not yet fully integrated into mobile device design processes, leaving many devices vulnerable to similar input validation flaws. The remote exploitability aspect means that attackers can target users without requiring physical access, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in mobile environments where users frequently interact with untrusted content from various sources. This type of vulnerability commonly maps to ATT&CK technique T1499, which covers network denial of service attacks, and demonstrates how mobile device security was still maturing during this period.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on both immediate defensive measures and long-term architectural improvements. Users should avoid opening MIDI files from untrusted sources and implement proper email filtering and attachment scanning mechanisms to prevent malicious files from reaching the device. Device manufacturers should implement comprehensive input validation for all multimedia processing components and establish robust error handling procedures that prevent malformed data from causing system crashes. The vulnerability underscores the importance of secure coding practices and input validation testing in mobile device software development, particularly for multimedia processing components that handle user-provided content. Regular security updates and patches should be implemented to address known vulnerabilities, and device manufacturers should establish more rigorous security testing procedures for multimedia processing features. Additionally, network administrators should consider implementing mobile device management policies that restrict the types of files that can be downloaded and processed on corporate devices, reducing the attack surface for similar vulnerabilities. The vulnerability also emphasizes the need for better security education for users regarding the risks of opening untrusted multimedia content and the importance of keeping mobile devices updated with security patches.