CVE-2007-3444 in Blackberry Software
Summary
by MITRE
The Research in Motion BlackBerry 7270 with 4.0 SP1 Bundle 83 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (blocked call reception) via a malformed SIP invite message, possibly related to multiple format string specifiers in the From field, a spoofed source IP address, and limitations of the function stack frame.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/28/2017
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-3444 affects the Research in Motion BlackBerry 7270 device running software version 4.0 SP1 Bundle 83, representing a critical denial of service weakness that specifically targets the device's Session Initiation Protocol implementation. This vulnerability demonstrates how improper input validation in telecommunications infrastructure can lead to complete service disruption for end users. The issue manifests when the device receives a specially crafted SIP invite message that contains malformed format string specifiers within the From field, creating a condition where the device's processing logic fails to handle the unexpected input properly.
The technical flaw stems from insufficient validation of SIP message components, particularly focusing on the From header field which contains format string specifiers that are not properly sanitized or escaped before being processed by the device's SIP stack. When the device attempts to parse this malformed message, the format string vulnerabilities in the stack frame processing cause the application to either crash or become unresponsive, resulting in the blocking of legitimate call reception. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-134 which specifically addresses the use of format strings without proper validation, making it a classic example of improper input handling in telecommunications protocols.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it directly affects the core functionality of the BlackBerry device, rendering it incapable of receiving incoming calls during the period when the device is affected. Attackers can exploit this weakness by sending a spoofed SIP invite message from a falsified source IP address, making it appear as though the malicious message originates from a legitimate source. This attack vector allows for remote exploitation without requiring physical access to the device or network credentials, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where mobile communication reliability is crucial. The vulnerability essentially creates a persistent denial of service condition that can be triggered repeatedly, potentially causing extended periods of communication disruption for the targeted user.
This vulnerability aligns with several tactics described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly under the T1499.004 technique for network denial of service and T1595.001 for network infiltration through protocol manipulation. The exploitation of format string vulnerabilities in telecommunications devices represents a sophisticated attack method that leverages the complexity of SIP protocol implementations. Organizations should implement network-level filtering to block suspicious SIP traffic patterns and ensure that all mobile devices receive timely security updates from vendors. Additionally, network administrators should consider deploying intrusion detection systems that can identify and alert on malformed SIP messages that match the characteristics of this vulnerability. The recommended mitigation strategy involves applying the official security patch provided by Research in Motion and implementing proper input validation mechanisms at network boundaries to prevent similar attacks from reaching end-user devices.