CVE-2015-2247 in skateboards
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in Boosted Boards skateboards allows physically proximate attackers to modify skateboard movement, cause human injury, or cause physical damage via vectors related to an "injection attack" that blocks and hijacks a Bluetooth signal.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/06/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-2247 represents a critical security flaw in Boosted Boards electric skateboards that exposes users to significant physical risk through wireless communication manipulation. This issue specifically targets the Bluetooth connectivity system that controls skateboard operation, creating a pathway for attackers to intercept and alter the communication between the rider's smartphone and the skateboard's control system. The vulnerability's classification as an unspecified issue within the Boosted Boards ecosystem indicates a fundamental flaw in the wireless protocol implementation that allows for unauthorized interference with the device's operational parameters.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves what cybersecurity professionals would categorize as a man-in-the-middle attack pattern, where an attacker positioned within physical proximity can intercept and manipulate Bluetooth signals. This attack vector operates under the principles of wireless protocol manipulation and signal hijacking, which aligns with attack techniques documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the category of wireless attack methods. The specific nature of the "injection attack" suggests that the Bluetooth communication lacks proper authentication mechanisms and encryption protocols, allowing malicious actors to inject false commands into the control stream that governs skateboard movement.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple data compromise, as it directly threatens human safety and physical integrity. When an attacker successfully hijacks the Bluetooth signal, they can manipulate the skateboard's acceleration, braking, and directional controls, potentially causing loss of control that could result in serious injury or death. The physical damage potential includes collisions with obstacles, falls, or accidents that occur when the rider's intended commands are overridden by malicious interference. This vulnerability represents a classic case of a cyber-physical system security flaw where digital vulnerabilities directly translate to real-world physical consequences, making it particularly dangerous in environments where skateboard users operate in close proximity to other people and obstacles.
From a security standards perspective, this vulnerability demonstrates poor implementation of wireless security protocols and violates fundamental principles outlined in various cybersecurity frameworks including those addressing secure communication channels and authentication mechanisms. The absence of proper encryption and authentication in the Bluetooth communication channel creates a weakness that falls under the category of weak cryptographic implementation as referenced in CWE classifications. The physical proximity requirement for exploitation suggests that the system does not adequately consider the threat model for environments where unauthorized individuals might be present, failing to implement proper access control and spatial awareness mechanisms that would prevent such interference attacks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing robust wireless security protocols including strong encryption for all Bluetooth communications, mandatory authentication mechanisms, and secure key exchange processes. The system should incorporate time-based command validation and heartbeat monitoring to detect and reject unauthorized command injections. Additionally, implementing spatial awareness features that can detect and reject commands from unexpected physical locations would provide an additional layer of protection. Regular firmware updates and security patches should be mandatory to address potential new attack vectors that may emerge. Organizations should also consider implementing device-to-device communication verification systems that can detect when a command originates from an unauthorized source, thereby preventing the types of signal hijacking attacks that make this vulnerability exploitable. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of considering physical security implications in connected devices and the necessity of implementing comprehensive security measures that protect both digital and physical operational integrity.