CVE-2017-13269 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
A information disclosure vulnerability in the Android system (bluetooth). 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-68818034.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/21/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-13269 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within the Android Bluetooth subsystem that affects multiple versions of the Android operating system. This security weakness resides in the Bluetooth implementation where insufficient input validation and improper access controls allow unauthorized data exposure. The vulnerability specifically impacts the system's ability to properly manage and restrict access to sensitive information during Bluetooth communication processes, creating potential pathways for malicious actors to extract confidential data from affected devices.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from inadequate parameter validation within the Bluetooth stack implementation. When Bluetooth services process incoming data packets or handle connection requests, the system fails to properly validate the integrity and authorization status of the information being transmitted. This flaw enables attackers to manipulate Bluetooth communication protocols and potentially access sensitive system information that should remain protected. The vulnerability operates at the system level within the Android framework, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited without requiring elevated privileges or user interaction. According to CWE classification, this represents a weakness in the system's input validation mechanisms and access control enforcement, specifically categorized under CWE-20 (Improper Input Validation) and CWE-284 (Improper Access Control).
The operational impact of CVE-2017-13269 extends beyond simple data exposure, as it can enable sophisticated attack vectors including but not limited to device reconnaissance, information gathering for further exploitation, and potential lateral movement within network environments. Attackers leveraging this vulnerability could potentially extract device identifiers, connection history, Bluetooth service information, and other sensitive metadata that could be used to craft more targeted attacks. The vulnerability affects all listed Android versions from 5.1.1 through 8.1, indicating a widespread impact across the Android ecosystem. This information disclosure could facilitate attacks such as Bluetooth-based reconnaissance, device fingerprinting, and potentially lead to more severe exploitation opportunities when combined with other vulnerabilities. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that Bluetooth is frequently enabled on mobile devices and often operates in environments where physical proximity is required for exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patch deployment through official Android security updates, as the issue was addressed in subsequent Android security releases. Organizations and users must ensure that all affected devices receive the latest security patches from their respective vendors. Additional protective measures include disabling Bluetooth functionality when not actively needed, implementing network segmentation to limit Bluetooth-based attack vectors, and conducting regular security assessments of Bluetooth-enabled devices within organizational environments. Security professionals should also consider implementing monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous Bluetooth activity patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of robust input validation and access control mechanisms in system-level components, particularly those handling network communication protocols. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability aligns with techniques such as T1046 (Network Service Scanning) and T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) when exploited as part of broader attack campaigns. Organizations should also consider implementing Bluetooth device whitelisting policies and maintaining strict inventory controls of Bluetooth-enabled devices within their networks to minimize potential attack surfaces and reduce the likelihood of successful exploitation.