CVE-2018-9380 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 12/02/2024
In l2c_lcc_proc_pdu of l2c_fcr.cc, there is a possible out of bounds write due to improper input validation. This could lead to remote escalation of privilege with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is needed for exploitation.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/22/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-9380 resides within the Bluetooth Low Energy stack implementation in the Linux kernel, specifically within the l2c_lcc_proc_pdu function located in l2c_fcr.cc file. This flaw represents a critical security weakness that allows for potential privilege escalation attacks. The vulnerability manifests as an out-of-bounds write condition that occurs when processing Bluetooth protocol data units, making it particularly dangerous in environments where Bluetooth communication is prevalent.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the Bluetooth link layer control and management protocol processing code. When the l2c_lcc_proc_pdu function receives malformed or improperly formatted Bluetooth protocol data units, it fails to properly validate the incoming data structures before attempting to write to memory locations. This improper validation creates a scenario where attacker-controlled data can cause the function to write beyond the bounds of allocated memory buffers, potentially corrupting adjacent memory regions and enabling arbitrary code execution.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability represents a significant threat to systems running Linux kernels with Bluetooth support, particularly those that process untrusted Bluetooth traffic. The requirement for user interaction suggests that exploitation would typically occur through a Bluetooth connection initiated by an attacker, potentially through malicious Bluetooth devices or compromised peer devices. The lack of additional execution privileges needed for exploitation makes this vulnerability particularly concerning as it can be leveraged by attackers with minimal access to the target system. The remote privilege escalation capability means that an attacker could potentially gain elevated system privileges, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1068, which involves exploiting legitimate credentials or privileges to gain elevated access. Systems utilizing Bluetooth Low Energy protocols, including smartphones, tablets, laptops, and IoT devices running affected kernel versions, are at risk. The exploitability requires a Bluetooth connection and user interaction, making it more challenging to trigger remotely but still viable in targeted attacks.
Mitigation strategies should focus on applying the latest kernel security patches from the Linux kernel maintainers, which address the buffer validation issues in the Bluetooth protocol handling code. System administrators should also implement Bluetooth access controls and disable unnecessary Bluetooth functionality when not required. Network monitoring solutions should be configured to detect unusual Bluetooth traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments of their Bluetooth-enabled systems and implement proper network segmentation to limit potential attack surfaces. Regular security updates and kernel maintenance procedures should be prioritized to ensure protection against similar vulnerabilities in the future.