CVE-2022-26529 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 segmented packets’ link parameter. An unauthenticated attacker in the adjacent network can exploit this vulnerability to cause buffer overflow and disrupt service.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/30/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-26529 resides within the Realtek Linux/Android Bluetooth Mesh SDK, representing a critical buffer overflow flaw that fundamentally compromises the integrity of Bluetooth mesh network communications. This vulnerability specifically targets the handling of segmented packets within the Bluetooth mesh protocol implementation, where insufficient validation mechanisms fail to properly verify the link parameter associated with these data segments. The affected SDK serves as a foundational component for Bluetooth mesh networking implementations across various Linux and Android platforms, making this flaw particularly concerning given the widespread adoption of Realtek's Bluetooth chipsets in consumer and enterprise devices.
The technical execution of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation during the processing of segmented Bluetooth mesh packets. When the SDK receives segmented data transmissions, it fails to properly validate the link parameter that defines the packet's characteristics and boundaries. This validation gap allows an attacker to craft maliciously formatted segmented packets that exceed the allocated buffer space, leading to memory corruption and potential arbitrary code execution. The flaw operates at the protocol stack level where the mesh network's segmentation and reassembly mechanisms are implemented, specifically affecting how the system handles packet fragmentation and reassembly processes. The buffer overflow occurs during the parsing phase where the system attempts to store incoming segmented packet data without proper bounds checking, creating a predictable memory corruption scenario that can be exploited through carefully crafted network traffic.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to Bluetooth mesh network deployments as it requires no authentication to exploit, making it particularly dangerous in adjacent network environments where attackers can observe or inject traffic. The impact extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially enable full system compromise, as buffer overflows in network protocol implementations often provide attackers with opportunities for privilege escalation or code execution within the affected device. The adjacent network attack vector means that adversaries positioned within radio range of the vulnerable devices can exploit this flaw without requiring physical access or network credentials, making it especially concerning for IoT deployments and enterprise Bluetooth mesh networks where device security may be insufficiently considered. Network administrators face the challenge of detecting and mitigating this vulnerability across diverse device ecosystems that may be running different versions of the Realtek SDK.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-26529 must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements to prevent similar vulnerabilities in future implementations. Device manufacturers and system administrators should prioritize updating to patched versions of the Realtek Bluetooth Mesh SDK, which typically include proper bounds checking and parameter validation mechanisms. Network segmentation and monitoring solutions should be implemented to detect anomalous Bluetooth mesh traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, leveraging intrusion detection systems capable of analyzing Bluetooth protocol behavior. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a classic example of insufficient input validation that enables memory corruption attacks. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving protocol analysis and exploitation of network protocols, specifically targeting the network traffic analysis and exploitation phases. Organizations should also implement network-level controls such as Bluetooth mesh traffic filtering and monitoring to detect and prevent the transmission of malformed segmented packets that could trigger the buffer overflow condition.