CVE-2019-16518 in Vandy Vape
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered on e9:c8:82:d7:31:5a devices that use the Vandy Vape platform. An attacker may be able to trigger an unintended temperature in the victim's mouth and throat via Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) packets that specify large power or voltage values.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/27/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-16518 represents a critical security flaw affecting devices utilizing the Vandy Vape platform with the specific MAC address e9:c8:82:d7:31:5a. This issue manifests through Bluetooth Low Energy communication channels where malicious actors can manipulate device behavior by transmitting specially crafted BLE packets containing excessive power or voltage parameters. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the device's wireless communication protocols, creating a pathway for unauthorized control over device operational parameters that directly impact user safety.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the exploitation of BLE packet structure and transmission mechanisms within the Vandy Vape platform. When devices receive BLE packets containing abnormally high power or voltage values, the device firmware fails to properly validate these inputs before applying them to the heating elements. This lack of proper boundary checking and parameter validation creates a scenario where an attacker positioned within Bluetooth range can remotely manipulate the device's operational parameters to dangerous levels. The vulnerability specifically affects the temperature control algorithms within the device's firmware, which are designed to maintain safe operating temperatures but become compromised when subjected to malformed BLE commands.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-16518 extends beyond simple functional disruption to pose serious safety risks to end users. When an attacker successfully manipulates device temperature through malicious BLE packets, users may experience unintended heating that could result in burns, tissue damage, or other thermal injuries to the mouth and throat regions. The vulnerability's proximity requirement for exploitation limits its scope but does not eliminate the danger, as the attack surface includes anyone within Bluetooth range of the device. This creates a unique threat landscape where physical proximity becomes a vector for physical harm, making the vulnerability particularly concerning for personal electronic devices that come into direct contact with users.
Security implications of this vulnerability align with CWE-129, which addresses improper validation of input ranges, and CWE-310, which covers cryptographic issues in data transmission. The attack pattern follows ATT&CK technique T1059.006 for execution through command and scripting interpreter, as well as T1566 for social engineering through wireless communication. The device's failure to implement proper access controls and authentication mechanisms for BLE communications represents a fundamental security flaw that violates industry best practices for IoT device security. Organizations should consider this vulnerability as part of a broader category of IoT security issues where physical safety intersects with cybersecurity threats.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-16518 should focus on immediate firmware updates that implement robust input validation for BLE packet parameters, particularly around power and voltage specifications. Device manufacturers must implement proper authentication mechanisms for wireless communications to prevent unauthorized access to device control functions. Users should be advised to disable Bluetooth when not actively using the device and to maintain awareness of their surroundings when operating such devices. Additionally, implementing secure communication protocols with proper encryption and integrity checking would significantly reduce the attack surface for this vulnerability. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing of device response to malformed BLE packets to ensure proper validation and error handling mechanisms are in place.
This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of security-by-design principles in IoT device development, particularly for products that directly interact with human physiology. The intersection of wireless communication security and physical safety requirements creates unique challenges that require comprehensive threat modeling and security testing. The vulnerability serves as a reminder that consumer electronics, especially those involving heating elements and direct human contact, must implement robust security measures to prevent both functional compromise and physical harm. Organizations developing similar products should conduct thorough security assessments of wireless communication protocols and implement proper input validation to prevent similar issues in future deployments.