CVE-2007-1441 in BlackBerry
Summary
by MITRE
The 4thPass browser (BlackBerry Browser) on the RIM BlackBerry 8100 (Pearl) before 4.2.1 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (temporary functionality loss) via a long href attribute in a link in a WML page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/03/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-1441 affects the 4thPass browser implementation within the BlackBerry 8100 Pearl device running firmware versions prior to 4.2.1. This represents a classic buffer overflow condition that manifests specifically within the handling of WML (Wireless Markup Language) pages, particularly when processing hyperlink attributes. The flaw exists in the browser's parsing mechanism for href attributes within WML link elements, where insufficient input validation occurs during the processing of lengthy attribute values. This vulnerability falls under the category of CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and specifically relates to improper input validation in mobile browser implementations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a remote attacker crafts a malicious WML page containing an excessively long href attribute value that exceeds the allocated buffer space within the 4thPass browser component. When the affected BlackBerry device attempts to render this page, the browser's memory management fails to properly handle the oversized input, leading to a crash of the browser application. This results in a temporary denial of service condition where the user loses access to web browsing functionality until the device is manually restarted or the browser is restarted through system-level intervention. The attack vector requires no authentication and can be executed through standard web browsing activities, making it particularly dangerous in mobile environments where users may be unaware of the malicious content they are accessing.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption to encompass potential security implications for mobile device users. Mobile devices running affected firmware versions become vulnerable to remote exploitation without user interaction, as simply visiting a malicious website or receiving a WML-based message can trigger the exploit. This vulnerability particularly affects enterprise users who rely on BlackBerry devices for business communications, as the temporary loss of web functionality can disrupt critical business processes and communications. The issue demonstrates the importance of mobile browser security in embedded systems and highlights the challenges of securing mobile operating environments where resources are constrained and memory management is critical. Organizations using BlackBerry 8100 devices should consider this vulnerability in their risk assessment frameworks and implement appropriate network-level controls to prevent access to potentially malicious content.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate firmware updates to version 4.2.1 or later, which contain patches addressing the buffer overflow condition in the 4thPass browser component. Network administrators should implement web filtering solutions to block access to untrusted WML content and consider deploying mobile device management solutions that can enforce security policies and automatically update device firmware. The vulnerability also underscores the need for proper input validation in mobile browser implementations and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1210, which covers exploitation of remote services through buffer overflow conditions. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and monitoring solutions to detect anomalous browsing behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of mobile security patch management and the potential for remote code execution vulnerabilities in mobile browser implementations that can lead to complete device compromise.