Symbian SMS pest highlighted

Mobile exploit attack disables messaging.

A presentation at a popular hacking forum has brought much attention to a flaw in the SMS processing in some versions of the

Symbian

mobile operating system, in use in many mobile phones from leading manufacturer

Nokia

among others. The flaw can be exploited with a specially crafted SMS message, which can then disable all further SMS and MMS functionality on the phone.

While the exploit attack has gathered much press attention, and highlighted the growing need and market for security products for mobiles, it has little value as a criminal tool and seems unlikely to become widespread even as an unpleasant practical joke. However, some commentators have criticised

Nokia

for a perceived lack of reaction to the news.

Details on the vulnerability are in

The Register


here

and

DarkReading


here

, with more on the

F-Secure

blog

here

.

Posted on 06 January 2009 by

Virus Bulletin