CVE-2022-30723 in Bluetooth
Summary
by MITRE • 06/07/2022
Broadcasting Intent including the BluetoothDevice object without proper restriction of receivers in activateVoiceRecognitionWithDevice function of Bluetooth prior to SMR Jun-2022 Release 1 leaks MAC address of the connected Bluetooth device.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/10/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-30723 represents a significant security flaw in Android Bluetooth implementations prior to the SMR June 2022 release. This issue resides within the activateVoiceRecognitionWithDevice function of the Bluetooth subsystem where broadcast intents containing BluetoothDevice objects are transmitted without adequate restrictions on receiver permissions. The flaw manifests as an unintended information disclosure vulnerability that exposes MAC addresses of connected Bluetooth devices to unauthorized applications. The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper intent filtering mechanisms that fail to validate which applications can receive the broadcast messages containing sensitive device identification information. This represents a direct violation of security principles governing information flow and access control within mobile operating systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially enable more sophisticated attacks within the Bluetooth attack surface. When a Bluetooth device's MAC address is leaked through this broadcast mechanism, it provides attackers with critical identification information that can be used for device tracking, profiling, or as part of broader reconnaissance activities. The vulnerability affects the fundamental security model of Bluetooth device communication where device identifiers should remain protected from unauthorized access. This flaw aligns with CWE-200 (Information Exposure) and CWE-732 (Incorrect Permission Assignment) categories, representing a failure in proper access control mechanisms and information protection. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because MAC addresses can be used to correlate device activity across different networks and services, creating persistent tracking capabilities for malicious actors.
From an attack perspective, this vulnerability enables adversaries to gather device identification information without requiring elevated privileges or specific user interaction. The broadcast intent mechanism typically operates with broad permissions that allow any application registered to receive such broadcasts to access the contained BluetoothDevice object. This creates an attack surface where information disclosure can occur through legitimate system functions designed for voice recognition activation. The vulnerability also demonstrates poor adherence to the principle of least privilege in Android's security architecture, where sensitive device information flows through broadcast mechanisms without proper sandboxing or access controls. Security frameworks such as the Android Security Model and ATT&CK framework's T1046 (Network Service Scanning) and T1071.004 (Application Layer Protocol: DNS) categories are relevant as they address information gathering and reconnaissance activities that this vulnerability facilitates. The flaw essentially allows for passive information gathering through system-level functions that should maintain device privacy boundaries.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected Android versions through the SMR June 2022 release or equivalent security updates. Organizations should implement application whitelisting policies to restrict which applications can register for Bluetooth broadcast intents and ensure that proper permission checks are enforced before any sensitive information is exposed. The fix typically involves implementing stricter receiver restrictions on broadcast intents and ensuring that BluetoothDevice objects are only accessible to applications with legitimate need for such information. System administrators should monitor for unauthorized applications that attempt to register for Bluetooth-related broadcasts and implement security policies that prevent information leakage through system interfaces. Additionally, developers should review their applications for improper broadcast intent handling and ensure that any Bluetooth device information is properly secured through access control mechanisms. This vulnerability highlights the importance of security-by-design principles in mobile operating systems and the necessity of rigorous security testing for system-level functions that handle sensitive device information.