CVE-2006-0671 in W800i
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in Sony Ericsson K600i, V600i, W800i, and T68i cell phone allows remote attackers to caues a denial of service (reboot or shutdown) through a wireless Bluetooth connection via a malformed Logical Link Control and Adaptation Protocol (L2CAP) packet whose length field is less than the actual length of the packet.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/01/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-0671 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw affecting several Sony Ericsson mobile phone models including the K600i, V600i, W800i, and T68i. This security weakness resides within the Bluetooth implementation of these devices, specifically within the Logical Link Control and Adaptation Protocol (L2CAP) handling mechanism. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic buffer overflow condition where the device fails to properly validate the length field of incoming L2CAP packets before processing their contents, creating an exploitable condition that can be remotely triggered through wireless Bluetooth connections.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a remote attacker crafts a malformed L2CAP packet with a length field that indicates a smaller packet size than the actual data payload. When the affected Sony Ericsson devices process this malformed packet, the insufficient buffer validation causes the device to overwrite adjacent memory regions, leading to unpredictable behavior and system instability. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a significant weakness in the device's input validation mechanisms. The flaw specifically impacts the Bluetooth stack implementation, where the device's operating system fails to properly sanitize incoming network packets before attempting to parse them.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to potentially compromise the overall security posture of the affected mobile devices. When exploited, the buffer overflow results in immediate system instability manifesting as device reboots or complete shutdowns, effectively rendering the mobile device unusable until manual intervention occurs. This denial of service capability can be particularly concerning in environments where mobile devices serve critical functions or where attackers might seek to disrupt communications. The vulnerability's remote exploitability through wireless Bluetooth connections means that attackers do not require physical access to the device or any form of local network presence, making it a significant threat vector for mobile device security.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on both immediate device-level protections and broader network security measures. Device manufacturers should implement proper input validation and bounds checking within their Bluetooth stack implementations to ensure that length fields in L2CAP packets are properly verified against actual packet contents before processing. Network administrators and users should consider disabling Bluetooth functionality when not actively needed, particularly in high-security environments where such vulnerabilities could be exploited for more sophisticated attacks. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper firmware updates and security patches, as the affected devices were likely running outdated software versions that did not include the necessary protections against malformed packet processing. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and denial of service through network protocols, emphasizing the need for comprehensive mobile device security frameworks that address both endpoint protection and network-based attack vectors.