CVE-2005-1801 in 9500
Summary
by MITRE
The vCard viewer in Nokia 9500 allows attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) via a vCard with a long Name field, which causes the crash when the user views it.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/06/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-1801 represents a classic buffer overflow condition affecting the vCard viewer component within Nokia 9500 mobile device firmware. This issue specifically targets the handling of Name fields within vCard data structures, where an attacker can craft malicious vCard files containing excessively long Name field values to trigger system instability. The vulnerability exists at the application layer within the mobile device's contact management system, where input validation mechanisms fail to properly sanitize or limit the length of user data before processing. The affected Nokia 9500 device operates under a constrained mobile environment where memory management is critical, making it particularly susceptible to improper input handling that can lead to system crashes.
This vulnerability falls under the category of improper input validation as classified by CWE-20, specifically manifesting as a buffer overflow condition when processing vCard data. The technical flaw occurs when the vCard viewer application attempts to parse a Name field that exceeds the allocated buffer space, causing memory corruption and subsequent system termination. The attack vector is straightforward requiring only the delivery of a specially crafted vCard file to the target device, typically through email, SMS, or direct file transfer. When a user views the malicious vCard, the application's parsing routine executes without proper bounds checking, leading to memory overwrite conditions that cause the device to crash and potentially become unresponsive.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service, as it can be exploited to disrupt critical communication functions on mobile devices. Mobile devices such as the Nokia 9500 serve as primary communication tools in professional and personal contexts, making any disruption to their functionality potentially severe. The vulnerability can be leveraged by attackers to create persistent service disruptions, particularly in environments where mobile communication reliability is essential. Additionally, the exploit requires minimal technical skill to implement, making it accessible to threat actors with limited expertise in mobile security. The device's crash condition may also potentially lead to data loss or corruption if the system does not properly handle the unexpected termination of the vCard viewer application.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-1801 should focus on implementing robust input validation mechanisms within the vCard processing routines. The most effective approach involves establishing strict length limitations on Name fields and other vCard components during parsing, ensuring that all input data is properly sanitized before processing. Device manufacturers should implement defensive programming practices including bounds checking, memory allocation validation, and proper error handling routines. Network administrators and security teams should consider implementing email filtering policies that scan for potentially malicious vCard attachments and establish user awareness programs regarding the risks of opening unknown vCard files. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of secure coding practices and regular security testing of mobile applications, particularly those handling user-provided data. Organizations should implement patch management procedures to ensure timely deployment of firmware updates that address this specific vulnerability. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques related to privilege escalation and denial of service, potentially enabling further exploitation opportunities if the device's security model allows for additional attack vectors following the initial crash condition.