CVE-2011-0287 in BlackBerry Enterprise Server Express
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the BlackBerry Administration API in Research In Motion (RIM) BlackBerry Enterprise Server (BES) software 5.0.1 through 5.0.3, and BlackBerry Enterprise Server Express software 5.0.1 through 5.0.3, allows remote attackers to read text files or cause a denial of service via unknown vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/19/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-0287 represents a critical security flaw within the BlackBerry Enterprise Server software ecosystem, specifically affecting versions 5.0.1 through 5.0.3 of both the standard BlackBerry Enterprise Server and the BlackBerry Enterprise Server Express variants. This unspecified vulnerability resides within the BlackBerry Administration API component, which serves as the primary interface for administrative operations and system management within the BlackBerry enterprise environment. The flaw manifests in a manner that permits remote attackers to exploit the system through unspecified attack vectors, creating potential pathways for unauthorized access and system disruption.
The technical nature of this vulnerability places it within the realm of remote code execution and information disclosure risks, as attackers can potentially read arbitrary text files from the system or induce denial of service conditions. This represents a significant weakness in the authentication and authorization mechanisms of the BlackBerry Administration API, where proper input validation and access controls appear to be insufficiently implemented. The vulnerability's classification as unspecified indicates that the exact technical mechanism enabling the exploit remains unclear, though the impact spans both data confidentiality and system availability concerns. Such vulnerabilities typically arise from improper handling of user inputs or inadequate sanitization of API parameters, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate system behavior through crafted requests.
From an operational perspective, the impact of CVE-2011-0287 extends beyond simple data exposure to encompass potential system compromise and service disruption. Organizations relying on BlackBerry Enterprise Server for corporate communications face significant risks including unauthorized access to sensitive business data, disruption of critical communication channels, and potential escalation to full system compromise. The remote nature of the attack vector means that adversaries need not be physically present within the network perimeter, enabling attacks from anywhere on the internet. This vulnerability particularly affects enterprise environments where BlackBerry devices serve as primary communication tools, potentially exposing confidential corporate information, employee data, and business communications to unauthorized parties.
The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK framework techniques including T1190 for exploit public-facing application and T1068 for exploit specific system vulnerabilities, while also potentially mapping to CWE-20 for improper input validation and CWE-310 for cryptographic issues in API implementations. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor-provided security patches, restricting access to the BlackBerry Administration API through network segmentation, and implementing monitoring for unusual API access patterns. Additionally, comprehensive security assessments should be conducted to identify any potential exploitation attempts, and access controls should be reviewed and strengthened to ensure that only authorized administrative personnel can access the vulnerable API endpoints. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date security measures and conducting regular security audits of enterprise communication systems to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities.