CVE-2011-1472 in E75
Summary
by MITRE
The Nokia E75 phone with firmware before 211.12.01 allows physically proximate attackers to bypass the Device Lock code by entering an unspecified button sequence at boot time.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/22/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-1472 represents a critical security flaw in Nokia E75 mobile devices running firmware versions prior to 211.12.01. This weakness resides in the device's boot process and authentication mechanisms, specifically targeting the Device Lock functionality that users rely upon to protect their personal data and communications. The vulnerability exploits a fundamental design flaw in the phone's security architecture that occurs during the initial system startup sequence, creating a window of opportunity for unauthorized access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from an insufficient validation mechanism during the device boot process. Attackers capable of physical proximity to the target device can exploit a specific button sequence that bypasses the normal Device Lock code authentication. This flaw falls under the category of insufficient authentication checks and represents a failure in the device's security boot process. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the firmware level, making it difficult to detect through conventional software-based security measures. The unspecified button sequence suggests that the attack vector involves a predetermined sequence of hardware inputs that, when executed during the boot process, can circumvent the normal security protocols.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to device data. Physical proximity attackers can potentially gain complete control over the device, including access to stored communications, personal contacts, financial information, and other sensitive data that users typically protect with device locks. This vulnerability undermines the fundamental security assumptions that users make when setting up device protection mechanisms, creating a false sense of security that can lead to significant privacy breaches and potential identity theft. The attack requires minimal technical expertise and can be executed by anyone with physical access to the device during its boot sequence, making it particularly dangerous in environments where devices are left unattended.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require both immediate firmware updates and operational security measures. Nokia issued firmware update 211.12.01 to address this specific flaw, which modifies the boot process to properly validate authentication sequences and prevent the bypass mechanism. Organizations and individuals should implement comprehensive device management policies that include regular firmware updates, secure device storage practices, and awareness training about physical security risks. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure boot processes and proper authentication validation, aligning with cybersecurity frameworks such as the CWE-284 principle of improper access control. Additionally, this vulnerability highlights the need for hardware-level security measures that cannot be bypassed through simple software or input sequence manipulations, emphasizing the importance of defense-in-depth strategies in mobile device security architectures.