CVE-2007-6371 in N95
Summary
by MITRE
Nokia N95 cell phone with RM-159 12.0.013 firmware allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (device inoperability) via a SIP INVITE message accompanied by an immediately subsequent SIP CANCEL message, followed by a second SIP INVITE message in a different session.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/13/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-6371 affects Nokia N95 mobile devices running firmware version RM-159 12.0.013, representing a significant denial of service weakness in the device's Session Initiation Protocol implementation. This flaw demonstrates how improper handling of SIP messaging sequences can lead to complete device inoperability, affecting users' ability to make or receive calls and utilize core communication functions. The vulnerability specifically targets the device's SIP stack processing capabilities, which are fundamental to VoIP communications and mobile telephony services.
The technical exploitation mechanism involves a carefully orchestrated sequence of three SIP messages that the vulnerable device cannot properly process. Attackers send an initial SIP INVITE message followed immediately by a SIP CANCEL message, and then proceed with a second SIP INVITE message within a different session context. This specific message ordering and timing triggers a buffer overflow or state management error within the device's SIP processing module, causing the device to crash and become unresponsive. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and state machine handling within the SIP protocol implementation, allowing malformed message sequences to disrupt normal device operation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption, as it can render the entire mobile device inoperable until manual reboot or power cycle occurs. Users experiencing this attack would lose all communication capabilities including voice calls, text messaging, and data services, as the device becomes completely unresponsive to user input. This type of denial of service attack represents a serious concern for mobile device security, particularly in environments where reliable communication is critical. The vulnerability affects not just individual users but could potentially impact service providers who rely on consistent device performance across their networks.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which addresses improper validation of input boundaries, and demonstrates how insufficient validation can lead to device-level failures. The attack pattern follows tactics described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1499 category for network denial of service, where adversaries leverage protocol weaknesses to disrupt service availability. The vulnerability also relates to CWE-676, which covers the use of potentially dangerous functions, as the device's SIP implementation likely employs unsafe memory handling or state management functions. Organizations should implement network-level filtering to prevent malicious SIP traffic from reaching vulnerable devices, while manufacturers should consider firmware updates to address the underlying protocol processing flaws. The vulnerability highlights the importance of robust input validation in mobile device operating systems and the need for comprehensive security testing of communication protocols before deployment in consumer devices.