CVE-2006-0797 in N70
Summary
by MITRE
Nokia N70 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, possibly triggering a buffer overflow, as demonstrated using the Bluetooth Stack Smasher (BSS).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/01/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-0797 represents a critical security flaw in Nokia N70 mobile devices that demonstrates the inherent risks associated with wireless communication protocols in mobile platforms. This vulnerability specifically targets the Bluetooth implementation within the device's operating system, creating a pathway for remote attackers to compromise device functionality through crafted wireless packets. The issue manifests when the device receives a malformed Logical Link Control and Adaptation Protocol packet, which is a fundamental component of the Bluetooth protocol stack responsible for managing data transmission between devices. The vulnerability exploits the lack of proper input validation in the Bluetooth stack implementation, particularly focusing on the length field validation mechanism that governs packet processing within the L2CAP layer.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the L2CAP packet structure where an attacker crafts a packet with a length field that indicates a smaller size than the actual data payload contained within the packet. This discrepancy in packet structure creates a buffer overflow condition within the device's Bluetooth stack processing routines. When the Nokia N70 attempts to process this malformed packet, the system's memory management routines fail to properly handle the mismatch between the declared and actual packet sizes, leading to unpredictable behavior in the device's memory allocation and data handling processes. The vulnerability operates at the protocol level, bypassing traditional application-level security measures and directly targeting the core communication infrastructure of the device. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 buffer overflow category, specifically demonstrating how improper bounds checking in network protocol implementations can lead to system instability and complete service disruption.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple device inconvenience, as it provides attackers with the capability to remotely force the Nokia N70 into a complete system reboot or shutdown state. This denial of service condition effectively renders the device unusable until manual intervention occurs, potentially compromising the device's availability for critical communications. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it operates over wireless networks without requiring physical access to the device, making it an attractive target for malicious actors seeking to disrupt mobile communications. The Bluetooth Stack Smasher tool referenced in the vulnerability description demonstrates how readily available tools can be used to exploit such weaknesses, highlighting the importance of proper protocol validation in embedded systems and mobile platforms. This vulnerability represents a classic example of how wireless protocol implementations in mobile devices can be compromised through malformed packet injection attacks, affecting not only individual users but potentially creating broader network disruption scenarios in environments where multiple devices operate in close proximity.
The mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require both immediate device-level patches and broader architectural considerations for wireless protocol implementations in mobile devices. Device manufacturers must implement proper input validation mechanisms that verify packet length fields against actual data content before processing, preventing buffer overflow conditions from occurring. Network administrators and security professionals should consider implementing Bluetooth access controls and monitoring systems that can detect anomalous packet patterns and prevent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the necessity of robust firmware update mechanisms and security testing procedures for wireless communication stacks in mobile platforms. Organizations should implement network segmentation strategies that limit the exposure of Bluetooth-enabled devices to untrusted networks, reducing the attack surface for such wireless exploitation techniques. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of protocol-level security testing and validation in embedded systems, particularly those operating in mobile environments where wireless communication is fundamental to device functionality and user experience.