CVE-2017-17285 in Smart Phone
Summary
by MITRE
Bluetooth module in some Huawei mobile phones with software LON-AL00BC00B229 and earlier versions has a buffer overflow vulnerability. Due to insufficient input validation, an unauthenticated attacker may craft Bluetooth AVDTP/AVCTP messages after successful paring, causing buffer overflow. Successful exploit may cause code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/08/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-17285 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the Bluetooth implementation of certain Huawei mobile devices running software version LON-AL00BC00B229 and earlier. This issue resides in the Bluetooth module's handling of Advanced Video Distribution Profile (AVDTP) and Audio/Video Control Transport Protocol (AVCTP) messages, which are fundamental components of Bluetooth audio streaming functionality. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize or limit the size of incoming Bluetooth protocol messages, creating an exploitable condition that can be triggered remotely without requiring authentication.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of Bluetooth AVDTP/AVCTP protocol messages that are transmitted over the Bluetooth connection. Once a device has been successfully paired with an attacker's device, the malicious actor can craft specially crafted packets that exceed the allocated buffer space within the Bluetooth module's memory management system. This buffer overflow condition allows for arbitrary code execution within the context of the Bluetooth subsystem, potentially enabling full device compromise. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with CWE-787, representing out-of-bounds writes that can occur when input validation is insufficient.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple device compromise, as it provides attackers with persistent access to the affected Huawei mobile devices through the Bluetooth interface. This presents a significant risk to users who may unknowingly pair with malicious devices in public spaces or connect to compromised Bluetooth networks. The vulnerability can be exploited without requiring user interaction beyond the initial pairing process, making it particularly dangerous for mobile devices that frequently connect to various Bluetooth peripherals. Attackers could potentially install malware, access sensitive data, or use the device as a pivot point for further network infiltration, representing a substantial threat to both personal privacy and enterprise security environments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-17285 should prioritize immediate software updates from Huawei to address the buffer overflow vulnerability in the Bluetooth implementation. Organizations should implement Bluetooth connection restrictions and disable automatic pairing features where possible, while also monitoring for suspicious Bluetooth activity on their networks. Network administrators should consider deploying Bluetooth detection tools to identify and isolate potentially compromised devices. The vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1041, which involves data compression and encryption to evade detection, as attackers could potentially use this vulnerability to establish persistent backdoors. Additionally, the issue reflects ATT&CK technique T1059, representing command and control communication through legitimate system processes, as the exploited Bluetooth module could serve as a communication channel for malware exfiltration and remote command execution.