CVE-2016-3839 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
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 2016-08-01 allows attackers to cause a denial of service (loss of Bluetooth 911 functionality) via a crafted application that sends a signal to a Bluetooth process, aka internal bug 28885210.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/12/2022
This vulnerability affects multiple versions of the Android operating system and represents a critical denial of service flaw within the Bluetooth subsystem. The issue stems from improper handling of Bluetooth signals by malicious applications that can trigger a complete loss of Bluetooth functionality on affected devices. The vulnerability specifically targets Android versions 4.x before 4.4.4, 5.0.x before 5.0.2, 5.1.x before 5.1.1, and 6.x before the specified date, indicating a widespread impact across the Android ecosystem. The flaw allows attackers to send crafted signals to Bluetooth processes that ultimately result in the complete disruption of Bluetooth services, effectively rendering the device's wireless communication capabilities unusable.
The technical nature of this vulnerability involves a weakness in the Bluetooth stack implementation where malicious applications can exploit signal handling mechanisms to cause the Bluetooth subsystem to crash or become unresponsive. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-119, which describes weaknesses in the handling of memory buffers and data structures that can lead to system instability. The flaw operates at the system level rather than the application level, making it particularly dangerous as it can affect core operating system services that users depend on for connectivity. The vulnerability is classified as an internal bug with identifier 28885210, suggesting it was discovered and tracked within Google's internal development processes before public disclosure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it affects the fundamental wireless communication capabilities of affected Android devices. Users experiencing this vulnerability would lose the ability to use Bluetooth features including connecting to wireless headphones, keyboards, speakers, and other Bluetooth-enabled devices. This disruption particularly impacts emergency communication scenarios where Bluetooth 911 functionality may be critical, as the vulnerability specifically mentions loss of Bluetooth 911 functionality. The denial of service condition renders devices essentially unusable for wireless communication until a system reboot occurs, creating a substantial user experience degradation and potential safety concerns in emergency situations.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily involve applying the appropriate security patches and updates released by Google for the affected Android versions. Organizations and individuals should prioritize updating their Android devices to the latest available versions that contain fixes for this vulnerability. System administrators should implement patch management processes to ensure all Android devices within their environment receive timely updates. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of application sandboxing and privilege separation within mobile operating systems, as the ability of a crafted application to directly affect core system Bluetooth functionality demonstrates insufficient access controls. Additionally, users should exercise caution when installing applications from untrusted sources and maintain awareness of the potential for malicious applications to exploit system-level vulnerabilities through Bluetooth interfaces.
This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure Bluetooth implementation in mobile operating systems and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and control through system services. The flaw represents a classic example of how system-level vulnerabilities can create widespread impact across device populations, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security testing and robust input validation in core operating system components. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and the risks associated with delayed patch deployment in mobile environments where users may continue to operate on vulnerable versions for extended periods.