CVE-2022-25818 in UWB Stack
Summary
by MITRE • 03/10/2022
Improper boundary check in UWB stack prior to SMR Mar-2022 Release 1 allows arbitrary code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/13/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-25818 represents a critical security flaw within the Ultra-Wideband (UWB) communication stack of a mobile device platform. This issue specifically affects systems prior to the SMR March 2022 Release 1, indicating that it was present in firmware versions that had not yet received the security patches introduced in that update cycle. The vulnerability stems from an improper boundary check implementation within the UWB protocol processing layer, which governs the short-range wireless communication capabilities used in devices for precise positioning and data transfer. The UWB technology operates in the 3.1-10.6 GHz frequency range and is commonly employed in applications requiring high-precision location services, device pairing, and secure data exchange between nearby devices.
The technical flaw manifests as a boundary check failure that occurs during the processing of UWB stack packets or data structures. When the UWB subsystem receives malformed or specially crafted input data, the insufficient validation allows an attacker to bypass normal input sanitization mechanisms. This boundary check vulnerability creates a potential buffer overflow condition or memory corruption scenario where attacker-controlled data can overwrite adjacent memory regions within the UWB processing context. The flaw operates at the protocol stack level, meaning it can be exploited through legitimate UWB communication channels without requiring physical access or specialized hardware tools. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which describes improper validation of critical constraints, and specifically relates to improper boundary checking in input validation routines.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it enables arbitrary code execution within the context of the UWB subsystem. An attacker positioned within the UWB communication range of a vulnerable device can potentially inject malicious payloads that exploit the boundary check failure to execute code with the privileges of the UWB processing thread. This capability allows for complete compromise of the device's wireless communication capabilities and potentially broader system access depending on the privilege model of the UWB subsystem. The attack surface includes scenarios where an adversary might leverage this vulnerability during device pairing processes, location-based service interactions, or any legitimate UWB communication event. This vulnerability maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1068 for Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, as it enables code execution that can be leveraged for further system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-25818 primarily focus on updating affected systems to the SMR March 2022 Release 1 or later versions that contain the necessary boundary check fixes. Organizations should prioritize firmware updates for all devices running vulnerable UWB stacks, particularly those in enterprise environments where device security is paramount. Network administrators should monitor for any unusual UWB communication patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, though the vulnerability is more likely to be exploited in physical proximity scenarios. Device manufacturers should implement robust input validation mechanisms in their UWB protocol implementations and conduct thorough security testing of boundary conditions in communication stack components. The fix typically involves strengthening the input validation routines to properly check array bounds and memory access limits before processing UWB data packets, ensuring that all incoming data conforms to expected size and format parameters. Security teams should also consider implementing network segmentation to limit the potential impact of UWB-based attacks and maintain continuous monitoring for any anomalous behavior in wireless communication protocols.