CVE-2015-0884 in Bluetooth Stack
Summary
by MITRE
Unquoted Windows search path vulnerability in Toshiba Bluetooth Stack for Windows before 9.10.32(T) and Service Station before 2.2.14 allows local users to gain privileges via a Trojan horse application with a name composed of an initial substring of a path that contains a space character.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/03/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-0884 represents a critical unquoted search path weakness in Toshiba's Bluetooth stack software for Windows systems. This flaw exists in versions prior to 9.10.32(T) of the Bluetooth stack and before 2.2.14 of Service Station, creating a significant security risk that can be exploited by local attackers to escalate privileges. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of path resolution when executing applications, specifically when paths contain spaces and are not properly quoted during execution.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-428, which describes the improper resolution of a search path. In Windows systems, when an application's path contains spaces and is not quoted, the operating system's search algorithm may interpret the path incorrectly. The vulnerability occurs because the Bluetooth stack components do not properly validate or quote paths that contain spaces, allowing an attacker to place a malicious executable file in a directory that appears earlier in the search path. When the system attempts to execute a program, it may inadvertently run the attacker's malicious file instead of the intended legitimate program, particularly when the legitimate program's path contains spaces.
This vulnerability operates under the principle that Windows searches for executables in the PATH environment variable in a specific order, and when paths contain spaces without proper quotation, the system may interpret the path incorrectly. The attack vector requires local system access, making it a privilege escalation vulnerability that can be exploited by attackers who already have user-level access to the system. The malicious Trojan horse application must be carefully positioned in a directory that appears earlier in the search path than the legitimate application, with the name containing an initial substring that matches part of the intended path.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant, as it allows local users to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. This can result in complete system compromise, data theft, or persistent backdoor access. The vulnerability affects systems running vulnerable versions of Toshiba's Bluetooth stack, which are commonly found in enterprise environments where Toshiba hardware is deployed. Attackers can leverage this weakness to establish persistent access, escalate privileges, and potentially move laterally within a network. The attack requires minimal sophistication and can be automated, making it particularly dangerous in environments where multiple systems may be vulnerable.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-0884 should focus on updating to patched versions of Toshiba's Bluetooth stack and Service Station software. Organizations should implement strict patch management procedures to ensure all systems are updated promptly. Additionally, system administrators should review and harden PATH environment variables to avoid placing directories with spaces in the search path, and ensure proper quoting of paths in all system configurations. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of following secure coding practices, particularly around path resolution and execution, as outlined in various security frameworks including those referenced in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under privilege escalation techniques. Network segmentation and user access controls should be implemented to limit the potential impact of such vulnerabilities, while monitoring systems should be configured to detect suspicious execution patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts.