CVE-2016-0850 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
The PORCHE_PAIRING_CONFLICT feature in Bluetooth in Android 4.x before 4.4.4, 5.0.x before 5.0.2, 5.1.x before 5.1.1, and 6.x before 2016-04-01 allows remote attackers to bypass intended pairing restrictions via a crafted device, aka internal bug 26551752.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/12/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-0850 represents a critical flaw in the Bluetooth implementation of Android operating systems, specifically affecting versions through 6.x prior to certain security patches. This vulnerability resides within the PORCHE_PAIRING_CONFLICT feature, which is designed to manage pairing conflicts in Bluetooth connections. The flaw enables remote attackers to circumvent intended security measures that should prevent unauthorized device pairing, creating a significant pathway for malicious actors to gain unauthorized access to Bluetooth-enabled devices. The vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of pairing requests, allowing crafted malicious devices to exploit the pairing conflict resolution mechanism.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control in software systems, specifically within the context of Bluetooth pairing protocols. The flaw operates by manipulating the pairing conflict resolution process, where legitimate pairing requests are overridden by crafted malicious requests that exploit the way the system handles conflicting pairing attempts. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish unauthorized Bluetooth connections with target devices, potentially gaining access to sensitive data, executing remote commands, or performing man-in-the-middle attacks. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple unauthorized access as it can compromise the entire Bluetooth security framework of affected Android devices.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-0850 is substantial given the widespread adoption of Android devices and the prevalence of Bluetooth connectivity in modern mobile ecosystems. This vulnerability can be exploited remotely without requiring physical proximity or user interaction, making it particularly dangerous in environments where Bluetooth is actively used. The attack surface includes various scenarios such as public Wi-Fi networks, corporate environments, and personal devices where Bluetooth is enabled. Security researchers have documented cases where this vulnerability could be leveraged to perform session hijacking, data exfiltration, or even to establish persistent access points on target devices. The vulnerability's exploitation can result in complete compromise of device security posture and potential data breaches.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily involve applying the security patches released by Google as part of their regular security updates. Organizations should ensure that all Android devices are updated to versions 4.4.4, 5.0.2, 5.1.1, or 6.x released after 2016-04-01, which contain the necessary fixes for this pairing conflict mechanism. System administrators should implement strict Bluetooth security policies that disable unnecessary pairing features and regularly audit Bluetooth connection logs for suspicious activity. The vulnerability's characteristics align with ATT&CK technique T1041, which covers Exfiltration Over Command and Control Channel, as the compromised Bluetooth connections could facilitate data exfiltration. Additionally, network monitoring solutions should be configured to detect anomalous Bluetooth pairing patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Device manufacturers and security teams should also consider implementing Bluetooth device whitelisting mechanisms and disabling automatic pairing features in high-security environments.