CVE-2016-9917 in BlueZ
Summary
by MITRE
In BlueZ 5.42, a buffer overflow was observed in "read_n" function in "tools/hcidump.c" source file. This issue can be triggered by processing a corrupted dump file and will result in hcidump crash.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/24/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-9917 represents a critical buffer overflow condition within the BlueZ Bluetooth stack version 5.42 specifically affecting the hcidump utility. This flaw exists in the read_n function located within the tools/hcidump.c source file, demonstrating a classic software security weakness that can lead to system instability and potential exploitation. The issue manifests when the utility processes malformed or corrupted Bluetooth dump files, which are commonly used for network traffic analysis and debugging purposes within Bluetooth protocol environments. This vulnerability directly impacts the integrity and availability of Bluetooth diagnostic tools that rely on proper buffer management during data processing operations.
The technical implementation of this buffer overflow stems from inadequate input validation and bounds checking within the read_n function, which fails to properly verify the size of data being read from input files before attempting to store it in allocated memory buffers. When a corrupted dump file is processed, the function does not adequately validate the expected data length against the allocated buffer capacity, allowing malicious or malformed input to overwrite adjacent memory locations. This condition falls under CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow vulnerabilities, and represents a significant concern for systems that utilize Bluetooth diagnostic tools for network monitoring and analysis. The vulnerability operates at the application level within the BlueZ framework, specifically targeting the hcidump utility that serves as a crucial component for Bluetooth protocol analysis and debugging in Linux environments.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-9917 extends beyond simple application crashes, potentially enabling denial of service conditions that can disrupt Bluetooth network monitoring capabilities and compromise system availability. When exploited, this vulnerability can cause the hcidump utility to terminate unexpectedly, which may result in incomplete protocol analysis and loss of critical diagnostic information for network administrators. The attack surface is particularly concerning for environments where Bluetooth monitoring tools are continuously running and processing large volumes of network traffic data, as the vulnerability can be triggered through simple file manipulation or by processing corrupted network captures. This issue aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.001, which covers network disruption through service availability attacks, and represents a potential vector for attackers to establish persistent denial of service conditions within Bluetooth-enabled environments.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of BlueZ installations to version 5.43 or later, which contains the necessary code modifications to address the buffer overflow condition. System administrators should implement strict input validation procedures for all Bluetooth dump files processed by the hcidump utility, including file format verification and size limitation checks before processing. Additional defensive measures include deploying network segmentation strategies to limit exposure of Bluetooth diagnostic tools to untrusted network traffic and implementing monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous behavior in Bluetooth protocol analysis utilities. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of regular security assessments for Bluetooth stack implementations and highlights the need for comprehensive input validation practices in network diagnostic tools that process external data streams. Organizations should consider implementing automated patch management systems to ensure timely deployment of security updates and maintain updated threat intelligence regarding Bluetooth protocol vulnerabilities that could impact their operational environments.