CVE-2022-25635 in Bluetooth Mesh SDK
Summary
by MITRE • 08/30/2022
Realtek Linux/Android Bluetooth Mesh SDK has a buffer overflow vulnerability due to insufficient validation for broadcast network packet length. An unauthenticated attacker in the adjacent network can exploit this vulnerability to disrupt service.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/10/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-25635 resides within the Realtek Linux/Android Bluetooth Mesh SDK, representing a critical buffer overflow flaw that stems from inadequate validation of broadcast network packet lengths. This issue affects implementations that utilize Realtek's Bluetooth mesh networking capabilities across both Linux and Android operating systems, creating a significant security risk for devices relying on this technology for mesh network communication. The vulnerability manifests when the system fails to properly validate the length of incoming broadcast packets, allowing malicious actors to craft oversized packets that exceed the allocated buffer space.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a classic buffer overflow vector where an attacker crafts a malformed network packet with an excessively long payload that surpasses the intended buffer boundaries. When the Bluetooth mesh SDK processes such a packet, the insufficient input validation causes the system to write beyond the allocated memory space, potentially leading to memory corruption and arbitrary code execution. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-121, which specifically addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions, though the nature of mesh networking may also involve heap-based overflow scenarios depending on implementation details. The attack requires only adjacent network access and does not necessitate authentication, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by remote attackers within the physical vicinity of the affected network.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption, potentially enabling more severe consequences including complete system compromise and denial of service attacks that can affect entire mesh networks. Bluetooth mesh networks are commonly deployed in industrial IoT environments, smart building systems, and enterprise networks where continuous operation is critical, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for mission-critical infrastructure. The disruption can manifest as complete network partitioning, where affected nodes become unresponsive and unable to participate in mesh communication, or as more subtle issues that gradually degrade network performance and reliability. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which covers network disruption attacks targeting network infrastructure, and represents a significant threat to the availability and integrity of mesh network communications.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-25635 should focus on immediate firmware and software updates from Realtek, as well as network-level protective measures including packet filtering and monitoring systems that can detect and block oversized packets. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit the potential impact of exploitation and establish monitoring protocols to identify anomalous packet behavior patterns that may indicate attempted exploitation. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation in network protocol implementations and underscores the need for security-by-design principles in mesh networking systems. Additionally, network administrators should consider implementing intrusion detection systems specifically configured to identify buffer overflow attempts and establish incident response procedures that account for mesh network disruption scenarios. The fix typically involves implementing proper bounds checking and length validation mechanisms within the Bluetooth mesh SDK to ensure that all incoming packets are properly validated before processing, thereby preventing the buffer overflow condition from occurring.