CVE-2022-38685 in SC9863A
Summary
by MITRE • 05/09/2023
In bluetooth service, there is a possible missing permission check. This could lead to local denial of service in bluetooth service with no additional execution privileges needed.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/31/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-38685 resides within the bluetooth service component of affected systems, representing a critical weakness in access control mechanisms. This issue manifests as a missing permission check that fundamentally undermines the security posture of the bluetooth service. The flaw exists at the authorization level where proper validation of user privileges should occur but fails to materialize, creating an exploitable gap in the system's defensive framework. Such missing permission checks are classified under CWE-284 which specifically addresses inadequate access control or improper privilege management within software systems. The vulnerability's nature suggests it operates at a foundational level within the bluetooth service architecture, potentially affecting all bluetooth-related functionalities that require proper authentication and authorization.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows for local execution of denial of service attacks without requiring any additional privileges or elevated access rights. This characteristic makes the exploit particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by any local user or process with basic system access. The attack vector operates through the bluetooth service's failure to properly validate whether incoming requests or operations originate from authorized entities. When the service processes bluetooth-related commands or operations, it does not adequately verify the requesting entity's permissions, enabling unauthorized operations that can disrupt the service's normal functioning. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.001 which covers network denial of service attacks, though in this case the attack is localized rather than network-based.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-38685 extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise the overall reliability and availability of bluetooth functionality within affected systems. Local users can exploit this weakness to cause the bluetooth service to become unresponsive or crash entirely, effectively rendering bluetooth capabilities unusable for legitimate users. This denial of service condition can persist until the service is manually restarted or the system is rebooted, creating operational downtime that may affect productivity and user experience. The vulnerability's local nature means that even users with minimal system privileges can cause significant disruption, making it particularly concerning in multi-user environments where unauthorized individuals might exploit this weakness without requiring additional malicious actions.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-38685 should focus on implementing proper permission validation mechanisms within the bluetooth service component. System administrators should ensure that all bluetooth service operations include comprehensive access control checks that verify user privileges before executing any bluetooth-related functionality. The fix typically involves patching the bluetooth service to enforce proper authorization protocols and validate all incoming requests against established permission schemas. Organizations should also consider implementing monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous bluetooth service behavior indicative of exploitation attempts. Additionally, privilege separation techniques should be employed to minimize the attack surface, ensuring that bluetooth service components operate with the least necessary privileges. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify similar permission check failures in other system components, as this type of vulnerability often indicates broader architectural weaknesses in access control implementation.