CVE-2017-13262 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In bnep_data_ind of bnep_main.cc, there is a possible out of bounds read due to a missing length decrement operation. This could lead to remote information disclosure with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation. Product: Android. Versions: 5.1.1, 6.0, 6.0.1, 7.0, 7.1.1, 7.1.2, 8.0, 8.1. Android ID: A-69271284.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/06/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-13262 resides within the Bluetooth Network Encapsulation Protocol (BNEP) implementation of Android operating systems, specifically in the bnep_data_ind function located in bnep_main.cc. This flaw represents a classic out-of-bounds read condition that occurs when processing incoming Bluetooth data packets, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited remotely without requiring any user interaction or additional privileges. The vulnerability stems from a critical missing length decrement operation within the packet processing logic, which allows an attacker to manipulate the data flow and potentially extract sensitive information from memory locations beyond the intended buffer boundaries. The affected Android versions span across multiple major releases including 5.1.1, 6.0, 6.0.1, 7.0, 7.1.1, 7.1.2, 8.0, and 8.1, indicating a widespread impact across the Android ecosystem. This vulnerability maps directly to CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and falls under the ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as it enables remote code execution through memory corruption. The BNEP protocol operates at the network layer of Bluetooth communication, making it an ideal attack vector for information disclosure attacks that can potentially expose sensitive data stored in memory. The lack of user interaction requirement for exploitation makes this vulnerability particularly concerning as it can be triggered automatically when a device receives malicious Bluetooth packets, potentially affecting any Android device within range of an attacker's Bluetooth signal.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the bnep_data_ind function failing to properly decrement the length parameter after processing portions of incoming Bluetooth packets, leading to a scenario where subsequent memory access operations reference data beyond the allocated buffer boundaries. This type of memory corruption can result in information disclosure, where attackers can read sensitive data from adjacent memory locations including potentially confidential information, session tokens, or cryptographic keys that may be stored in memory. The flaw occurs during normal Bluetooth packet processing operations, making it difficult to detect and prevent through standard security measures. The missing length decrement creates a predictable pattern where attackers can manipulate packet structures to force the system into reading beyond intended memory limits, potentially exposing kernel memory contents or other sensitive data structures. This vulnerability represents a significant risk to Android devices as it can be exploited through the Bluetooth interface without requiring any special permissions or user consent, making it a prime target for automated exploitation campaigns. The impact extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the memory corruption could potentially lead to more severe consequences including system instability or further exploitation opportunities.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-13262 is substantial given its remote exploitation capability and the widespread adoption of affected Android versions across mobile devices. Any Android device running the vulnerable software versions can be targeted by attackers who simply need to establish a Bluetooth connection and send specially crafted packets to trigger the vulnerability. This makes the attack surface particularly large as Bluetooth is enabled by default on most Android devices and frequently used for device pairing and data transfer operations. The vulnerability can be exploited in various scenarios including public Wi-Fi hotspots, crowded areas where Bluetooth devices are in close proximity, or through malicious Bluetooth devices that automatically attempt to connect to nearby Android devices. Organizations and individuals using affected Android devices face significant risks as the vulnerability can be leveraged to extract sensitive information from devices without any user awareness or intervention, potentially leading to privacy violations, identity theft, or further network compromise. The vulnerability's classification as a remote information disclosure issue aligns with ATT&CK technique T1005 for data from local system, as it allows for extraction of sensitive data from the target device's memory. Given the nature of Bluetooth communication and the fact that these Android versions were widely deployed, the potential for widespread exploitation across numerous devices and applications makes this vulnerability particularly critical for security professionals to address through immediate patching and mitigation strategies.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-13262 should focus on immediate patch deployment through official Android security updates, as Google released fixes for this vulnerability in subsequent security patches. Organizations should implement Bluetooth security policies that disable unnecessary Bluetooth functionality when not in use, particularly in enterprise environments where devices may be more frequently targeted. Network administrators should consider implementing Bluetooth access controls and monitoring for unusual Bluetooth activity patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Device users should ensure their Android devices are updated to the latest security patches, with particular attention to the Android security bulletin releases that addressed this specific vulnerability. Additional defensive measures include enabling Bluetooth security features such as pairing requirements, disabling automatic Bluetooth discovery, and implementing network segmentation to limit the potential impact of exploitation. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and boundary checking in network protocol implementations, emphasizing the need for thorough code reviews and security testing of core system components. Organizations should also consider implementing security monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous Bluetooth traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, while maintaining awareness of the broader Bluetooth security landscape and potential related vulnerabilities in the Android Bluetooth stack.