CVE-2022-42463 in OpenHarmony
Summary
by MITRE • 10/14/2022
OpenHarmony-v3.1.2 and prior versions have an authenication bypass vulnerability in a callback handler function of Softbus_server in communication subsystem. Attackers can launch attacks on distributed networks by sending Bluetooth rfcomm packets to any remote device and executing arbitrary commands.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/09/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-42463 represents a critical authentication bypass flaw within the OpenHarmony operating system version 3.1.2 and earlier releases. This weakness exists within the Softbus_server component of the communication subsystem, specifically affecting the callback handler function that manages distributed network communications. The issue stems from insufficient validation mechanisms that allow unauthorized entities to exploit the system's distributed networking capabilities without proper authentication credentials.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability lies in the improper handling of Bluetooth rfcomm packets within the Softbus_server's callback processing logic. When remote devices transmit Bluetooth rfcomm packets to the affected system, the authentication mechanisms fail to properly validate the incoming communication, creating a pathway for malicious actors to establish unauthorized connections. This flaw operates at the network protocol level where the system should enforce strict authentication checks before accepting and processing incoming communication requests. The vulnerability enables attackers to leverage the distributed networking infrastructure to execute arbitrary commands on the target device, effectively bypassing the intended security boundaries that should protect against unauthorized access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to encompass full command execution capabilities within the affected system. Attackers can exploit this weakness to gain control over devices running vulnerable OpenHarmony versions, potentially leading to data exfiltration, system compromise, or use of the compromised device as a pivot point for attacking other networked systems. The distributed nature of the vulnerability means that attackers can target multiple devices simultaneously across network segments, amplifying the potential damage. This type of authentication bypass vulnerability directly impacts the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected systems, creating a significant risk for IoT deployments and mobile devices that rely on OpenHarmony's distributed communication capabilities.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to patched versions of OpenHarmony that address this authentication bypass vulnerability, implementing network segmentation to limit Bluetooth rfcomm access, and deploying network monitoring solutions to detect anomalous rfcomm packet patterns. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-287 which addresses improper authentication issues, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploitation of remote services through Bluetooth protocols. Security teams should also consider implementing mandatory access controls and privilege separation mechanisms to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation. Additionally, regular security assessments of distributed communication components should be conducted to identify similar authentication weaknesses in other system components that may present similar attack vectors.