CVE-2016-8102 in Wireless Bluetooth Driver
Summary
by MITRE
Unquoted service path vulnerability in Intel Wireless Bluetooth Drivers 16.x, 17.x, and before 18.1.1607.3129 allows local users to launch processes with elevated privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/24/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-8102 represents a critical security flaw in Intel Wireless Bluetooth Drivers affecting versions 16.x, 17.x, and earlier releases before 18.1.1607.3129. This issue stems from improper handling of service paths during driver installation, creating a privilege escalation opportunity for local attackers. The vulnerability manifests when Windows service paths containing spaces are not properly quoted, allowing malicious actors to manipulate the execution flow and gain elevated privileges. The technical root cause aligns with CWE-787, which describes out-of-bounds writes and buffer overflows, though more specifically relates to improper service path handling and privilege escalation vectors. This flaw exists within the Windows service management framework where services are configured to execute with system-level privileges, yet the installation process fails to properly quote paths containing spaces, creating a predictable attack surface.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass broader system compromise potential. Local users who can interact with the affected system can exploit this weakness to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges, effectively bypassing standard user restrictions. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to install malicious software, modify system files, or establish persistence mechanisms that would otherwise require administrative access. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires minimal privileges to exploit, making it accessible to any local user with basic system access. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1068, which describes the use of local privilege escalation techniques, and T1543, which covers persistence mechanisms through service creation or modification. The exploitability of this vulnerability is further enhanced by the fact that it affects widely deployed Bluetooth driver software, increasing the potential attack surface significantly.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-8102 should prioritize immediate patch deployment to update Intel Wireless Bluetooth Drivers to version 18.1.1607.3129 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for proper service path quoting. System administrators should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all affected systems and ensure proper patch management processes are in place. Additional protective measures include implementing application whitelisting policies to restrict execution of unauthorized binaries, monitoring service installation and modification activities through Windows Event logging, and applying the principle of least privilege to limit local user access. The Windows security configuration should include verification of service paths through automated tools or manual inspection to ensure proper quoting of paths containing spaces. Organizations should also implement network monitoring to detect suspicious service creation or modification activities that could indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security audits and penetration testing should include verification of service path configurations to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced through future software deployments. The remediation process must also consider the broader implications of service path vulnerabilities, as they represent a common attack surface that can be leveraged for persistent access and privilege escalation within enterprise environments.