CVE-2007-3445 in SJphone
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in SJ Labs SJphone 1.60.303c, running under Windows Mobile 2003 on the Samsung SCH-i730 phone, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (device hang and call termination) via a malformed SIP INVITE message, a different vulnerability than CVE-2007-3351.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/04/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-3445 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the SJ Labs SJphone 1.60.303c application running on Windows Mobile 2003 platforms, specifically affecting the Samsung SCH-i730 device. This issue demonstrates the inherent risks present in mobile communication applications that process external network data without adequate input validation mechanisms. The vulnerability specifically targets the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) implementation within the SJphone application, which serves as the foundation for voice over IP communications on mobile devices. The flaw arises from insufficient boundary checking when processing SIP INVITE messages, creating an exploitable condition that can be remotely triggered by malicious actors.
The technical nature of this buffer overflow stems from improper memory management within the SIP message parsing routine of the SJphone application. When the application receives a malformed SIP INVITE message, the buffer allocated for processing the message contents exceeds its designated boundaries, causing unpredictable memory corruption. This type of vulnerability maps directly to CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-122, which addresses heap-based buffer overflow scenarios. The attack vector operates through the network interface where SIP messages are received, requiring no local privileges or user interaction beyond receiving the malicious communication. The vulnerability specifically affects the Windows Mobile 2003 operating system environment, which had limited built-in memory protection mechanisms compared to modern mobile operating systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to potentially compromise the entire communication functionality of the affected mobile device. When exploited, the buffer overflow causes the SJphone application to crash, resulting in device hang conditions that can last for extended periods and lead to complete call termination during active conversations. This disruption affects not only the targeted device but also creates potential security implications for users who rely on mobile voice communications for business or emergency purposes. The vulnerability demonstrates how mobile communication applications can become attack vectors for network-based assaults, particularly in environments where mobile devices serve as primary communication tools. The specific targeting of SIP INVITE messages indicates that this flaw affects the core signaling mechanism used in VoIP communications, making it particularly dangerous for business environments where mobile phone reliability is critical.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-3445 should focus on both immediate protective measures and long-term architectural improvements. The most effective immediate solution involves updating to a patched version of the SJphone application or implementing network-level filtering to prevent malformed SIP messages from reaching the device. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious SIP traffic patterns. From a security architecture perspective, this vulnerability highlights the importance of input validation and memory safety practices in mobile application development, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1203 which covers the exploitation of buffer overflow vulnerabilities. The incident underscores the necessity for mobile security frameworks that enforce strict memory management practices and input sanitization, particularly for communication-oriented applications that process external network data. Additionally, regular security assessments and penetration testing of mobile applications should be implemented to identify similar vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by malicious actors.