CVE-2006-6908 in Bluetooth Stack
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in the Bluetooth Stack COM Server in the Widcomm Bluetooth stack, as packaged as Widcomm Stack 3.x and earlier on Windows, Widcomm BTStackServer 1.4.2.10 and 1.3.2.7 on Windows, Widcomm Bluetooth Communication Software 1.4.1.03 on Windows, and the Bluetooth implementation in Windows Mobile or Windows CE on the HP IPAQ 2215 and 5450, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (service crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/04/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-6908 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the Widcomm Bluetooth stack implementation on Windows platforms and embedded systems. This vulnerability specifically affects the Bluetooth Stack COM Server component that forms part of the Widcomm Bluetooth stack versions 3.x and earlier, as well as specific versions including BTStackServer 1.4.2.10 and 1.3.2.7, and Bluetooth Communication Software 1.4.1.03 on Windows systems. The flaw also extends to the Bluetooth implementation found in Windows Mobile and Windows CE environments, particularly affecting HP IPAQ devices including the 2215 and 5450 models. This widespread impact across multiple Widcomm implementations and operating systems demonstrates the severity and prevalence of the underlying buffer overflow condition.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and memory management within the Bluetooth stack's COM server component. Buffer overflow conditions typically occur when a program writes more data to a fixed-length buffer than it can accommodate, leading to memory corruption that can be exploited by malicious actors. In this case, the vulnerability manifests through unspecified attack vectors that allow remote exploitation, meaning attackers do not need physical access or local privileges to trigger the flaw. The overflow occurs within the Bluetooth stack's communication server that handles incoming Bluetooth protocol data, making it a prime target for remote code execution or service disruption attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to potentially enable remote code execution, making it a particularly dangerous flaw for any system utilizing the affected Widcomm Bluetooth implementations. When exploited, the buffer overflow can cause the Bluetooth service to crash, resulting in complete service disruption and forcing system administrators to restart critical services. However, the potential for arbitrary code execution presents a more severe threat, as attackers could gain unauthorized access to systems, escalate privileges, and potentially establish persistent backdoors. This vulnerability affects both enterprise and mobile environments, with the Windows Mobile and Windows CE implementations on HP IPAQ devices creating additional attack surface for mobile threat actors targeting corporate mobile workforces.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-6908 should prioritize immediate patching of affected Widcomm stack versions, with organizations implementing the latest available updates from Widcomm or Microsoft to address the buffer overflow conditions. System administrators should consider disabling Bluetooth functionality on systems where it is not required, particularly in critical infrastructure environments where the risk of exploitation is highest. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit potential attack vectors, while monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect anomalous Bluetooth traffic patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all systems running affected Widcomm implementations, as the vulnerability affects multiple product versions and device types across different operating systems. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a classic example of how insecure programming practices in communication stacks can create severe security implications that extend across multiple platforms and device types.
The attack surface for this vulnerability includes any system running the affected Widcomm Bluetooth implementations, particularly those exposed to network connectivity or operating in environments where Bluetooth communication is enabled. Attackers leveraging this vulnerability could potentially execute malicious code with the privileges of the Bluetooth service account, which may have elevated system access depending on the implementation. The remote nature of the exploit means that attackers can target vulnerable systems from outside the local network, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous for enterprise environments where Bluetooth services may be exposed to external networks. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability predates modern security practices and highlights the importance of secure coding standards, particularly in communication protocol implementations that handle untrusted data from remote sources.