CVE-2008-5825 in 6131 Nfc
Summary
by MITRE
The SmartPoster implementation on the Nokia 6131 Near Field Communication (NFC) phone with 05.12 firmware does not properly display the URI record when the Title record contains a certain combination of space, CR (aka \r), and . (dot) characters, which allows remote attackers to trick a user into loading an arbitrary URI via a crafted NDEF tag, as demonstrated by (1) an http: URI for a malicious web site, (2) a tel: URI for a premium-rate telephone number, and (3) an sms: URI that triggers purchase of a ringtone.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/04/2017
The vulnerability described in CVE-2008-5825 represents a critical user interface deception flaw within the NFC SmartPoster implementation of the Nokia 6131 mobile device. This security issue stems from improper handling of URI display logic when specific character combinations appear within the Title record of NFC tags. The flaw manifests when a Title record contains a sequence comprising space, carriage return, and dot characters, which causes the device to misinterpret and display the URI record in a manner that conceals the true destination. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-691 category of Insufficient Control Flow Management, specifically involving improper handling of input validation and display logic in NFC communication protocols.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of NDEF (NFC Data Exchange Format) tags that contain crafted Title and URI records. When the Nokia 6131 processes such tags, the specific character sequence triggers a display parsing error that results in the URI being obscured or misrepresented to the end user. This allows attackers to create malicious NFC tags that appear to contain benign content while actually directing users to harmful destinations. The vulnerability specifically affects the 05.12 firmware version of the Nokia 6131, indicating it was a targeted issue within that particular software implementation rather than a broader NFC protocol flaw. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this under T1557.001 for Lateral Movement through Remote Services and T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, as it enables malicious command execution through deceptive user interactions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple phishing attacks to encompass financial fraud and malicious software installation. Attackers can craft NFC tags that appear to contain legitimate content such as website links, phone numbers, or messaging services while actually directing users to premium-rate telephone services, malicious websites, or automated ringtone purchases. The deceptive nature of this vulnerability means that users cannot reliably distinguish between legitimate and malicious NFC interactions based on visual cues alone, as the display manipulation occurs at the software level. This creates a significant risk for mobile users who may unknowingly engage with malicious NFC tags in public spaces or when interacting with NFC-enabled devices. The vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental flaw in user interface security design where visual representation does not accurately reflect the underlying system behavior, creating a trust boundary breach that can be exploited for various malicious purposes.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on both immediate device-level fixes and broader NFC security improvements. Users should avoid interacting with untrusted NFC tags and ensure their devices are updated to firmware versions that address this specific parsing issue. Device manufacturers should implement robust input validation and display logic for NFC SmartPoster implementations, ensuring that URI records are properly rendered regardless of Title record content. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input sanitization and display handling in mobile security implementations, particularly for emerging technologies like NFC that rely heavily on user trust and visual confirmation. Organizations should also consider implementing NFC security policies that restrict NFC functionality in sensitive environments and provide user education about the risks associated with NFC interactions. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of comprehensive security testing for mobile device interfaces, particularly those involving user interaction with potentially malicious content.