CVE-2007-3442 in BlackBerry 7270
Summary
by MITRE
Format string vulnerability on the Research in Motion BlackBerry 7270 before 4.0 SP1 Bundle 108 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (blocked call reception and calling) via format string specifiers in an SIP INVITE message that lacks a host name in the Contact header.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/27/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-3442 represents a critical format string flaw within the Research in Motion BlackBerry 7270 device firmware prior to version 4.0 SP1 Bundle 108. This security weakness resides in the device's handling of Session Initiation Protocol INVITE messages, specifically when processing SIP Contact headers that lack host name information. The flaw operates at the application layer of the network stack and demonstrates a classic format string vulnerability pattern that has been documented under CWE-134 in the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog. Such vulnerabilities typically occur when programmatic input is directly passed to formatting functions without proper sanitization, creating opportunities for malicious input to manipulate memory layout and execution flow.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the device's SIP processing mechanism where incoming INVITE messages are parsed and handled. When an attacker crafts a malicious SIP INVITE message containing format string specifiers within the Contact header field, the BlackBerry device's firmware fails to properly validate or sanitize this input before processing. The absence of a hostname in the Contact header creates a specific parsing condition that triggers the format string vulnerability. This flaw enables attackers to manipulate the device's memory structures through carefully crafted input, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or system instability. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal network access and can be performed remotely, making it particularly dangerous for mobile communication devices that rely heavily on SIP for voice and messaging services.
The operational impact of CVE-2007-3442 extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to encompass complete communication disruption on affected BlackBerry devices. When successfully exploited, the vulnerability causes blocked call reception and calling capabilities, effectively rendering the device unusable for its primary function. This disruption affects both incoming and outgoing communication channels, creating a comprehensive service outage that impacts business continuity for users relying on the device for critical communications. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 - Exploitation for Client Execution, as it enables remote code execution capabilities that can be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that the BlackBerry 7270 was widely deployed in enterprise environments where communication reliability is paramount, making this vulnerability a significant threat to organizational security postures.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate firmware updates to version 4.0 SP1 Bundle 108 or later, which contain patches specifically addressing the format string handling in SIP message processing. Network administrators should implement SIP message filtering rules to detect and block malformed INVITE messages containing suspicious format string specifiers in Contact headers. Additionally, organizations should consider network segmentation to limit the exposure of BlackBerry devices to untrusted networks and implement monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous SIP traffic patterns. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation and proper error handling in mobile communication protocols, reinforcing the need for robust security practices in embedded systems. Security teams should also conduct regular vulnerability assessments targeting mobile device management systems to identify similar weaknesses in other mobile platforms and ensure comprehensive protection against similar attack vectors.