CVE-2009-3944 in BlackBerry Browser
Summary
by MITRE
Research In Motion (RIM) BlackBerry Browser on the BlackBerry 8800 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application hang) via a JavaScript loop that configures the home page by using the setHomePage method and a DHTML behavior property.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/20/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-3944 represents a significant denial of service flaw within the BlackBerry Browser component of RIM's BlackBerry 8800 device. This issue stems from improper handling of JavaScript execution within the browser's rendering engine, specifically when processing maliciously crafted web content that leverages the setHomePage method in conjunction with DHTML behavior properties. The vulnerability exists at the intersection of web browser security and mobile device application stability, creating a scenario where remote attackers can manipulate the device's browser to enter an infinite loop state that results in application hang and complete system unresponsiveness.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a carefully constructed JavaScript payload that utilizes the setHomePage method to configure a malicious home page, combined with DHTML behavior properties that create an iterative loop within the browser's JavaScript engine. When the BlackBerry Browser processes this specific combination of methods and properties, it fails to properly validate or limit the execution of nested JavaScript operations, leading to a resource exhaustion condition where the browser becomes unresponsive. This flaw falls under CWE-674, which addresses uncontrolled recursion in software applications, and specifically relates to improper input validation within web browser contexts. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic example of how DHTML behaviors can be abused to create execution paths that bypass normal JavaScript execution limits and resource management mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption to encompass potential device-wide instability and user experience degradation. When exploited, the vulnerability causes the BlackBerry Browser application to consume excessive CPU resources and memory, resulting in complete application hang that may require manual device restart to resolve. This denial of service condition affects not only web browsing capabilities but can also impact other browser-dependent applications and system functions that rely on the browser component for proper operation. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can trigger the condition without physical access to the device, making it particularly concerning for enterprise deployments where BlackBerry devices are used for business-critical communications. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1499.004, which covers network denial of service attacks, and represents a specific implementation of T1059.007 for JavaScript-based execution.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on both immediate defensive measures and long-term architectural improvements. Device administrators should implement network-level filtering to block suspicious JavaScript content and DHTML behavior properties that could trigger the vulnerable code paths. Application-level protections should include enhanced JavaScript execution timeouts and resource monitoring to detect and terminate runaway execution threads before they consume system resources. RIM should have implemented proper input validation for the setHomePage method and established limits on DHTML behavior property processing to prevent infinite recursion scenarios. Additionally, regular security updates and patches should be deployed to address the underlying browser engine vulnerabilities, with particular attention to JavaScript engine memory management and execution control mechanisms. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper sandboxing and resource isolation in mobile browser implementations, where the failure to properly contain JavaScript execution can lead to complete system instability and denial of service conditions.