CVE-2009-2815 in iPhone OS
Summary
by MITRE
The Telephony component in Apple iPhone OS before 3.1 does not properly handle SMS arrival notifications, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (NULL pointer dereference and service interruption) via a crafted SMS message.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/15/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-2815 resides within the Telephony component of Apple iPhone OS versions prior to 3.1, representing a critical flaw in the mobile operating system's handling of incoming SMS communications. This issue manifests as an improper processing mechanism for SMS arrival notifications that creates exploitable conditions for malicious actors. The vulnerability specifically targets the system's ability to manage and respond to incoming short message service communications, creating a pathway for unauthorized disruption of normal telephony operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from a NULL pointer dereference condition that occurs when the iPhone OS processes specially crafted SMS messages. When an attacker sends a maliciously formatted SMS to a vulnerable device, the telephony subsystem attempts to access a memory location that has not been properly initialized or allocated. This results in a system crash and subsequent denial of service condition that interrupts normal telephony services. The flaw operates at the kernel level within the telephony framework, making it particularly dangerous as it can affect core system functionality rather than just application-level services.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risks for iPhone users and organizations relying on mobile communications. The denial of service condition can render a device temporarily unusable for making or receiving calls, sending or receiving text messages, and accessing other telephony-related features. Attackers can exploit this weakness remotely without requiring physical access to the device or any authentication credentials, making it particularly concerning for widespread deployment. The impact extends beyond individual user inconvenience to potential business disruption, especially in environments where mobile communication reliability is critical.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-476, which describes NULL pointer dereference conditions in software implementations, and represents a classic example of improper input validation in mobile operating systems. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to the T1499.004 technique related to network denial of service attacks, where adversaries leverage system weaknesses to disrupt service availability. The attack surface is broad as any device running iPhone OS versions before 3.1 can be targeted, regardless of network carrier or geographic location.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily involve upgrading to iPhone OS 3.1 or later versions where Apple has implemented proper handling of SMS notifications and NULL pointer validation. System administrators and users should prioritize immediate patching of affected devices to prevent exploitation. Network monitoring solutions can help detect anomalous SMS traffic patterns that might indicate attempted exploitation, though the remote nature of the attack makes prevention challenging. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing mobile device management policies that enforce automatic security updates and maintain awareness of the specific vulnerability conditions that trigger the denial of service scenario.