CVE-2005-3093 in 3210
Summary
by MITRE
Nokia 7610 and 3210 phones allows attackers to cause a denial of service via certain characters in the filename of a Bluetooth OBEX transfer.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/22/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-3093 represents a significant denial of service weakness affecting Nokia 7610 and 3210 mobile devices that operate within the Bluetooth OBEX (Object Exchange) protocol framework. This flaw specifically manifests when attackers craft malicious filenames containing certain characters that trigger unexpected behavior in the phone's file handling mechanisms. The vulnerability operates at the application layer of the Bluetooth protocol stack, where OBEX transfers are processed, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited remotely without requiring physical access to the device. The affected Nokia models were widely deployed in enterprise and consumer environments during the mid-2000s, amplifying the potential impact of this vulnerability across numerous user bases. The technical nature of the flaw suggests improper input validation and buffer handling within the phone's Bluetooth file transfer implementation, creating a pathway for malicious actors to disrupt normal device operations through crafted data transmission.
The core technical flaw stems from inadequate sanitization of filename characters during Bluetooth OBEX file transfers, which allows specially crafted character sequences to cause the device's file system processing routines to malfunction. When the vulnerable Nokia phones encounter these specific character patterns in filenames, the system's memory management or file handling components may experience crashes, freezes, or other abnormal termination conditions that result in complete service disruption. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which addresses improper validation of input boundaries, and CWE-248, which covers exposure of uninitialized variables. The attack vector operates through the standard Bluetooth OBEX protocol interface where files are transferred between devices, making it particularly insidious as it can be initiated by any remote device with Bluetooth capabilities. The vulnerability demonstrates poor defensive programming practices where the device fails to properly validate or sanitize user-provided data before processing it within critical system functions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially affect business continuity in environments where these mobile devices are critical components of communication infrastructure. Organizations relying on these Nokia phones for field operations, emergency services, or industrial communication systems could face significant downtime and productivity losses when attackers exploit this weakness. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not require physical proximity to the target device, making it particularly dangerous in public or shared environments where Bluetooth connectivity is enabled. From an attacker's perspective, this represents a low-effort, high-impact method of causing disruption, as it requires only the ability to establish a Bluetooth connection and send a specially crafted file transfer request. The vulnerability also presents challenges for network administrators who must account for such weaknesses in legacy mobile device management strategies, particularly when these devices are integrated into larger enterprise networks or critical infrastructure systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-3093 should focus on both immediate defensive measures and long-term architectural improvements. Device-specific patches or firmware updates would be the primary recommended approach, though these may not be available for legacy Nokia models given their age and limited support lifecycle. Network-level controls such as Bluetooth access restrictions and filename validation policies can provide interim protection by limiting the types of files that can be transferred to vulnerable devices. Organizations should implement strict Bluetooth security policies that disable unnecessary file transfer capabilities and enforce proper input validation at all network entry points. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper software development practices including input sanitization, boundary checking, and robust error handling as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST Cybersecurity Framework guidelines. Additionally, security awareness training for personnel who may encounter such vulnerabilities in field operations should emphasize the risks associated with untrusted file transfers and the importance of maintaining current device firmware versions. From a strategic perspective, this vulnerability underscores the critical need for comprehensive vulnerability management programs that address legacy systems and ensure proper lifecycle management of mobile devices within enterprise environments.