CVE-2020-10134 in Bluetooth Core
Summary
by MITRE
Pairing in Bluetooth® Core v5.2 and earlier may permit an unauthenticated attacker to acquire credentials with two pairing devices via adjacent access when the unauthenticated user initiates different pairing methods in each peer device and an end-user erroneously completes both pairing procedures with the MITM using the confirmation number of one peer as the passkey of the other. An adjacent, unauthenticated attacker could be able to initiate any Bluetooth operation on either attacked device exposed by the enabled Bluetooth profiles. This exposure may be limited when the user must authorize certain access explicitly, but so long as a user assumes that it is the intended remote device requesting permissions, device-local protections may be weakened.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/18/2020
The vulnerability described in CVE-2020-10134 represents a critical flaw in the Bluetooth Core specification version 5.2 and earlier implementations that undermines the security of the pairing process through a sophisticated man-in-the-middle attack vector. This weakness stems from the improper handling of concurrent pairing attempts between two Bluetooth devices where an unauthenticated attacker can exploit the timing and user interaction aspects of the pairing protocol to establish unauthorized connections and potentially gain access to sensitive credentials. The vulnerability specifically targets the confirmation-based pairing methods that rely on user verification through numeric confirmation numbers, creating a scenario where user error during the pairing process can be exploited by malicious actors.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker positions themselves in close physical proximity to two Bluetooth-enabled devices and initiates pairing attempts with both devices simultaneously. When users inadvertently complete pairing procedures by entering confirmation numbers from one device as passkeys for another, the attacker can successfully establish connections with both devices and potentially gain access to the Bluetooth profiles exposed by these devices. This flaw directly relates to CWE-310 which addresses cryptographic weaknesses, specifically the improper implementation of authentication mechanisms in wireless communication protocols. The vulnerability exploits the fundamental trust model within Bluetooth pairing where user assumptions about device identity can be manipulated by an attacker who orchestrates the pairing process through adjacent access.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates a significant risk landscape where attackers can leverage adjacent access to compromise Bluetooth-enabled devices without requiring sophisticated technical skills or extensive reconnaissance. The impact extends beyond simple credential theft to potentially allow full device control and access to sensitive data through the exposed Bluetooth profiles. Even when users must explicitly authorize certain access levels, the vulnerability can still be exploited because users may assume they are interacting with legitimate remote devices. This represents a classic social engineering component that combines physical proximity attacks with protocol-level weaknesses, making it particularly dangerous in environments where Bluetooth devices are frequently paired with unknown or untrusted devices. The attack can be executed without requiring network access or complex exploitation techniques, making it accessible to attackers with minimal technical expertise.
Organizations and users should implement comprehensive mitigation strategies that include disabling Bluetooth when not actively in use, implementing strict pairing procedures that require explicit user verification for all pairing attempts, and establishing device-specific security policies that limit the exposure of Bluetooth profiles. Network administrators should consider implementing Bluetooth monitoring solutions to detect unusual pairing patterns and unauthorized access attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of user education regarding Bluetooth security practices, particularly the need for careful verification of pairing confirmation numbers and awareness of potential man-in-the-middle attacks. From a cybersecurity framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1046 which covers network service scanning and T1566 which addresses credential harvesting through social engineering. Regular firmware updates and security patches should be prioritized, and organizations should conduct periodic Bluetooth security assessments to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in their wireless infrastructure.