CVE-2023-2002 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 05/26/2023
A vulnerability was found in the HCI sockets implementation due to a missing capability check in net/bluetooth/hci_sock.c in the Linux Kernel. This flaw allows an attacker to unauthorized execution of management commands, compromising the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of Bluetooth communication.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/22/2026
This vulnerability resides within the Linux kernel's Bluetooth subsystem, specifically in the HCI (Host Controller Interface) sockets implementation located at net/bluetooth/hci_sock.c. The flaw represents a critical capability check failure that undermines the security model governing Bluetooth management operations. The missing validation mechanism allows unauthorized users to execute management commands that should typically be restricted to privileged processes or authenticated administrators. This represents a classic privilege escalation vulnerability where standard user-level processes can bypass expected security boundaries and gain access to sensitive Bluetooth management functions.
The technical implementation flaw stems from inadequate access control validation within the HCI socket handling code. When management commands are processed through the socket interface, the kernel fails to verify whether the calling process possesses the necessary capabilities or permissions required to execute these operations. This missing capability check creates an attack vector where malicious actors can inject or manipulate HCI management commands through the socket interface without proper authorization. The vulnerability affects the fundamental security model of the Bluetooth subsystem, potentially allowing attackers to modify Bluetooth device configurations, access sensitive communication parameters, or disrupt Bluetooth services entirely.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends across multiple security dimensions including confidentiality, integrity, and availability of Bluetooth communications. An attacker exploiting this flaw can potentially intercept or modify Bluetooth traffic, alter device pairing configurations, or disable Bluetooth functionality entirely. The compromise of Bluetooth management commands could enable attackers to perform unauthorized device discovery, establish malicious connections, or manipulate Bluetooth device states that affect overall system security. This vulnerability particularly impacts systems where Bluetooth is enabled and running with default configurations, creating a persistent threat vector that can be exploited by local or remote attackers depending on system exposure.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper capability checks within the HCI socket implementation to ensure only authorized processes can execute management commands. System administrators should consider disabling Bluetooth functionality when not actively required, especially on systems where Bluetooth is not essential for operations. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 (Improper Access Control) and represents a failure to enforce proper privilege separation in kernel space operations. Organizations should implement monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized Bluetooth management command execution and maintain updated kernel versions that address this capability check deficiency. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) and T1566 (Phishing) as attackers could leverage this to establish persistent Bluetooth-based command execution capabilities. Additionally, implementing proper kernel hardening measures including mandatory access controls and capability-based security models can help prevent unauthorized execution of management commands through the HCI socket interface.