CVE-2023-0397 in Zephyr
Summary
by MITRE • 01/19/2023
A malicious / defect bluetooth controller can cause a Denial of Service due to unchecked input in le_read_buffer_size_complete.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/07/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-0397 represents a critical denial of service weakness within Bluetooth protocol implementations that specifically affects the le_read_buffer_size_complete command processing. This flaw resides in the handling of Bluetooth Low Energy buffer size responses where the system fails to properly validate or sanitize input parameters received from remote Bluetooth controllers. The issue manifests when a malicious or defective Bluetooth controller sends crafted buffer size information that bypasses normal input validation checks, leading to system instability and potential complete service disruption.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability operates at the protocol stack level where Bluetooth LE controllers communicate buffer capacity information to host systems. The le_read_buffer_size_complete event handler lacks proper bounds checking and input sanitization mechanisms, creating an opportunity for attackers to inject malformed data that can cause memory corruption or unexpected behavior in the Bluetooth subsystem. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-129 which specifically addresses insufficient input validation, and more broadly aligns with CWE-704 which covers improper input validation in communication protocols. The flaw demonstrates a classic buffer overflow pattern where unvalidated input leads to system resource exhaustion or memory corruption.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-0397 extends beyond simple service disruption as it can affect any system that relies on Bluetooth LE connectivity for critical operations. Devices such as medical equipment, automotive systems, industrial control units, and IoT devices that depend on Bluetooth communication for functionality may experience complete service outages when this vulnerability is exploited. The attack vector requires only the ability to establish a Bluetooth connection with a vulnerable device and send malicious buffer size information, making it particularly dangerous in environments where Bluetooth is widely used. From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.006 which involves command and scripting interpreter usage, specifically targeting system services through protocol manipulation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate defensive measures and long-term architectural improvements. System administrators should implement firmware updates from device manufacturers that include proper input validation for Bluetooth LE buffer size responses, with particular attention to ensuring that all Bluetooth controllers properly validate incoming data before processing. Network segmentation and Bluetooth radio isolation can help limit the attack surface by preventing unauthorized controllers from establishing connections with critical systems. Additionally, implementing monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous Bluetooth buffer size responses and trigger automated alerting mechanisms provides operational visibility into potential exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing Bluetooth controller access controls and authentication mechanisms to prevent unauthorized devices from connecting and sending malicious data to vulnerable systems. The remediation approach should follow industry best practices outlined in NIST SP 800-30 for risk assessment and remediation planning, ensuring comprehensive coverage of the vulnerability across all affected Bluetooth implementations.