CVE-2022-48451 in SC9863A
Summary
by MITRE • 07/12/2023
In bluetooth service, there is a possible out of bounds write due to race condition. This could lead to local denial of service with System execution privileges needed.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/02/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-48451 resides within the bluetooth service component of a system, where a race condition has been discovered that can result in an out-of-bounds write operation. This flaw occurs during the processing of bluetooth communication protocols and represents a critical security weakness that can be exploited by local attackers with system execution privileges. The race condition manifests when multiple threads or processes attempt to access and modify shared bluetooth service resources simultaneously, creating a window where memory operations can exceed allocated boundaries. Such vulnerabilities typically arise from inadequate synchronization mechanisms and improper handling of concurrent access to shared data structures within the bluetooth subsystem.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a scenario where the bluetooth service fails to properly synchronize access to memory regions during concurrent operations. When multiple processes or threads attempt to modify bluetooth connection states or related data structures simultaneously, the race condition creates an opportunity for memory corruption. The out-of-bounds write occurs when the service attempts to write data beyond the allocated memory boundaries of a buffer or data structure, potentially overwriting adjacent memory locations. This memory corruption can cause the bluetooth service to crash or behave unpredictably, resulting in a denial of service condition that affects the entire bluetooth functionality of the system. The vulnerability specifically requires system execution privileges to exploit effectively, indicating that local attackers with elevated permissions can leverage this flaw to disrupt system operations.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-48451 extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise system stability and availability. When the bluetooth service crashes due to the out-of-bounds write, users experience complete loss of bluetooth connectivity, which can be particularly problematic in environments where wireless peripherals are essential for system operation. The vulnerability's classification as a local denial of service means that attackers must already possess system-level privileges to exploit it, but this limitation does not diminish its potential impact on system reliability. Organizations relying on bluetooth connectivity for critical operations may face significant operational disruptions, as the service could become unavailable for extended periods. The vulnerability also represents a potential escalation vector, as successful exploitation could provide attackers with additional opportunities to gain further system access or execute malicious code within the bluetooth service context.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-48451 should focus on implementing proper synchronization mechanisms and memory access controls within the bluetooth service. System administrators should prioritize applying vendor patches and updates that address the race condition through improved thread synchronization and memory boundary checking. The implementation of proper mutex locks, semaphores, or other concurrency control mechanisms can prevent multiple threads from accessing shared bluetooth resources simultaneously. Additionally, input validation and bounds checking should be strengthened to prevent out-of-bounds memory operations, aligning with CWE-129 which addresses improper validation of array indices. Organizations should also consider implementing monitoring and logging of bluetooth service operations to detect potential exploitation attempts. The ATT&CK framework's T1059.003 technique for command and scripting interpreter may be relevant if attackers attempt to leverage this vulnerability to execute system commands through modified bluetooth service processes. Regular security assessments of bluetooth implementations and comprehensive testing of concurrent access scenarios should be conducted to identify similar race conditions before they can be exploited by malicious actors.