CVE-2005-1809 in P900 Beamer
Summary
by MITRE
Sony Ericsson P900 Beamer allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (panic) via an obexftp session with a long filename in an OBEX File Transfer or OBEX Object Push.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/26/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-1809 affects the Sony Ericsson P900 Beamer device, which operates as a mobile phone with built-in Bluetooth file transfer capabilities. This device utilizes the OBEX (Open Mobile Alliance Binary Exchange) protocol for file transfer operations, specifically supporting both OBEX File Transfer and OBEX Object Push profiles. The flaw manifests when the device processes incoming OBEX sessions containing excessively long filenames, leading to a system panic condition that results in complete service disruption. The vulnerability represents a classic buffer overflow scenario where the device fails to properly validate or limit the length of filename data received during OBEX communication sessions.
This security weakness stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the OBEX implementation of the P900 Beamer's firmware. The device does not enforce reasonable limits on filename length during OBEX session establishment, allowing malicious actors to craft specially crafted OBEX packets containing filenames that exceed the device's internal buffer capacity. When the system attempts to process such malformed data, it triggers an unhandled exception that causes the operating system to panic and crash. The panic condition renders the device completely non-functional until manual reboot occurs, effectively creating a denial of service scenario that can be remotely exploited. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a significant weakness in the device's input sanitization processes.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption, as it can be exploited by remote attackers without requiring physical access or authentication credentials. An attacker positioned within Bluetooth range can initiate an OBEX session with a maliciously crafted file containing an excessively long filename, immediately causing the device to become unresponsive. This creates a potential attack vector for service disruption in environments where these devices are deployed, particularly in enterprise settings or public locations where mobile device security is paramount. The vulnerability affects the availability aspect of the CIA triad, as legitimate users cannot access device functionality during the panic state. From an attack perspective, this flaw aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which covers network denial of service attacks, and demonstrates how protocol-level weaknesses can be leveraged for system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability involve multiple approaches that address both immediate protection and long-term security improvements. Device manufacturers should implement proper input validation mechanisms that enforce maximum filename length limits during OBEX session processing, ensuring that all incoming data is sanitized before system processing. Network administrators should consider disabling unnecessary Bluetooth services when not actively required, reducing the attack surface available to potential exploiters. Firmware updates containing patched OBEX implementations that properly handle oversized filename data should be deployed promptly to affected devices. Additionally, implementing network monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous OBEX traffic patterns may help identify exploitation attempts before they succeed. Organizations should also consider device hardening practices that disable unused communication protocols and implement proper access controls to minimize the potential impact of such vulnerabilities. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices and proper input validation in mobile device firmware development, particularly when implementing communication protocols that handle external data inputs.