CVE-2005-2277 in Affix
Summary
by MITRE
Bluetooth FTP client (BTFTP) in Nokia Affix 2.1.2 and 3.2.0 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via shell metacharacters in the filename argument of a PUT command.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/08/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-2277 represents a critical command injection flaw within the Bluetooth File Transfer Protocol client component of Nokia Affix software versions 2.1.2 and 3.2.0. This vulnerability resides in the BTFTP client implementation that handles file transfer operations over Bluetooth connections, specifically when processing PUT commands that involve filename arguments. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly escape or filter special shell metacharacters present in user-supplied filenames. This allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary shell commands that will be executed with the privileges of the BTFTP client process, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of filename arguments during Bluetooth file transfers, particularly when the PUT command is issued to a vulnerable Bluetooth FTP server. When a remote attacker crafts a malicious filename containing shell metacharacters such as semicolons, ampersands, or backticks, these characters are not properly sanitized before being processed by the underlying shell execution engine. This creates an environment where attacker-controlled commands can be interpreted and executed by the system shell, bypassing normal access controls and security boundaries. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-78, which describes improper neutralization of special elements used in OS commands, and represents a classic command injection attack vector that has been consistently documented across various security frameworks and threat intelligence platforms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple command execution, as it can enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to the affected system, escalate privileges, and potentially establish persistent backdoors. Since the BTFTP client operates over Bluetooth connections, attackers can exploit this vulnerability remotely without requiring physical access to the device, making it particularly dangerous in environments where Bluetooth connectivity is enabled. The attack surface is further expanded when considering that Bluetooth devices often operate in trusted network environments where traditional network security controls may be less stringent. This vulnerability can be leveraged for reconnaissance activities, data exfiltration, and the establishment of command and control channels, all of which align with tactics described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the Execution and Persistence domains.
Organizations and system administrators should implement immediate mitigations including patching the affected Nokia Affix software to versions that properly sanitize filename inputs, disabling unnecessary Bluetooth functionality when not required, and implementing network segmentation to limit the exposure of Bluetooth-enabled devices. Additional protective measures include monitoring Bluetooth traffic for suspicious filename patterns, implementing host-based intrusion detection systems, and conducting regular security assessments of wireless device configurations. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and the principle of least privilege in security design, as the affected software should have implemented robust sanitization mechanisms to prevent shell metacharacter interpretation during file transfer operations. This case study serves as a reminder of the critical need for security considerations in wireless communication protocols and highlights the potential for remote code execution vulnerabilities in embedded systems and mobile applications.