CVE-2023-21181 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 06/28/2023
In btm_ble_update_inq_result of btm_ble_gap.cc, there is a possible out of bounds read due to a heap buffer overflow. This could lead to local information disclosure with System execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation.Product: AndroidVersions: Android-13Android ID: A-264880969
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/13/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-21181 resides within the Bluetooth stack implementation of Android 13 systems, specifically within the btm_ble_update_inq_result function located in the btm_ble_gap.cc source file. This represents a critical heap buffer overflow condition that manifests as an out-of-bounds read, fundamentally compromising the memory integrity of the Bluetooth subsystem. The flaw occurs during Bluetooth low energy inquiry result processing, where insufficient bounds checking allows malicious data to overwrite adjacent memory regions, potentially exposing sensitive information stored in nearby heap allocations.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions that can result in information disclosure and system instability. The vulnerability operates at the system execution privilege level, meaning exploitation requires an attacker to already possess system-level access or be in a position to execute code with elevated privileges. This prerequisite significantly reduces the attack surface compared to user-mode vulnerabilities but still represents a serious security concern given the privileged access required for exploitation.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability could enable local information disclosure attacks where an attacker with system privileges could extract sensitive data from heap memory locations adjacent to the vulnerable buffer. The Bluetooth subsystem's role in Android systems makes this particularly concerning as it could potentially expose cryptographic keys, connection parameters, or other sensitive operational data. The vulnerability affects Android 13 specifically, indicating that the issue was introduced or became exploitable in that version's Bluetooth implementation, requiring targeted patching for affected systems.
The exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to already possess system execution privileges, which typically means they have root access or equivalent administrative capabilities. This characteristic places the vulnerability in the category of privilege escalation or information disclosure issues rather than initial access vectors. The lack of user interaction requirement suggests that once an attacker has system-level access, they could leverage this vulnerability to extract additional sensitive information from the Bluetooth subsystem's memory space, potentially leading to further compromise of the device's security posture.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability primarily involve applying the official Android security patches released by Google, which would contain fixes for the heap buffer overflow in the Bluetooth implementation. Organizations should prioritize patching Android 13 devices to prevent potential exploitation, particularly in environments where system-level access might be compromised. The fix typically involves implementing proper bounds checking in the btm_ble_update_inq_result function to prevent out-of-bounds memory access. Additionally, monitoring for unusual Bluetooth activity patterns and implementing network segmentation can help reduce the risk of exploitation, though the primary defense remains the timely application of security updates. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of memory safety practices in system-level code and the potential for seemingly localized buffer overflows to result in broader information disclosure impacts within critical system components.