CVE-2020-10367 in BlueZ (Spectra)
Summary
by MITRE • 11/11/2024
Certain Cypress (and Broadcom) Wireless Combo chips, when a January 2021 firmware update is not present, allow memory access via a "Spectra" attack.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/27/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-10367 affects specific Cypress and Broadcom wireless combo chips that incorporate the Spectra processing architecture. This flaw represents a significant security weakness in wireless communication hardware that can be exploited to gain unauthorized memory access. The vulnerability specifically impacts devices that have not received the January 2021 firmware update, indicating that the issue was recognized and patched by the vendors, but many devices remain unpatched in the field. The Spectra attack vector leverages the inherent design characteristics of these wireless chips to bypass normal memory protection mechanisms, creating a pathway for attackers to read sensitive data from system memory.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper memory management within the Spectra processing units of these wireless chips. When the January 2021 firmware update is absent, the chips fail to properly enforce memory access controls, allowing malicious actors to exploit this weakness through carefully crafted wireless packets or commands. This memory access violation can potentially expose sensitive information such as encryption keys, user credentials, or other confidential data stored in memory. The vulnerability operates at the hardware level, making it particularly dangerous as it can bypass traditional software-based security measures and operating system protections. The flaw manifests as a failure in the chip's memory protection unit which should normally prevent unauthorized access to memory regions containing critical data.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-10367 extends across multiple device categories including laptops, smartphones, IoT devices, and other wireless-enabled systems that utilize these specific chipsets. Organizations and individuals using affected devices face increased risk of data breaches, privacy violations, and potential system compromise. The vulnerability can be exploited remotely through wireless communication channels, meaning attackers do not need physical access to devices to carry out attacks. This makes the threat particularly concerning for enterprise environments where wireless networks are extensively used. The attack surface is broad due to the widespread deployment of these chips across various manufacturers' products, creating a significant security exposure that affects numerous users and organizations globally.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily focus on applying the January 2021 firmware update provided by Cypress and Broadcom, which addresses the memory access control issues within the Spectra processing units. System administrators should prioritize firmware updates across all affected devices and implement robust patch management procedures to ensure timely deployment of security fixes. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous wireless traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as wireless intrusion detection systems and network segmentation to limit the potential impact of successful attacks. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and may map to ATT&CK techniques involving privilege escalation and credential access through hardware-based attacks. Device manufacturers should also consider implementing hardware security modules or additional memory protection mechanisms to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in future designs.