CVE-2023-21310 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 10/30/2023
In Bluetooth, there is a possible out of bounds write due to a heap buffer overflow. This could lead to local escalation of privilege with System execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/22/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-21310 represents a critical heap buffer overflow flaw within the Bluetooth subsystem of affected operating systems. This vulnerability resides in the memory management mechanisms that handle Bluetooth protocol operations, specifically in how the system allocates and manages heap memory during Bluetooth communication processes. The flaw manifests when the system processes certain Bluetooth packets or commands that trigger improper memory boundary checks during heap allocation operations. Such buffer overflows typically occur when an application writes data beyond the allocated memory boundaries, potentially overwriting adjacent memory locations with attacker-controlled data. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be exploited to achieve local privilege escalation, allowing an attacker with low-privilege access to gain system-level execution privileges. The absence of user interaction requirements for exploitation makes this vulnerability especially dangerous as it can be triggered automatically without any human intervention, potentially enabling automated attack scenarios.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the Bluetooth stack's handling of memory allocation for incoming packets or command processing within the kernel space. When malformed Bluetooth data is received or processed, the system's memory management functions fail to properly validate the size or boundaries of data being written to heap-allocated buffers. This allows an attacker to craft specific Bluetooth packets that cause the system to write beyond the intended buffer boundaries, potentially corrupting adjacent memory regions including critical system structures or control data. The heap buffer overflow occurs in the kernel-level Bluetooth drivers or protocol handlers, making the exploitation particularly severe as it operates at the most privileged execution level. The vulnerability's classification as a heap-based buffer overflow aligns with CWE-122 which describes heap-based buffer overflows that occur when a program writes beyond the boundaries of heap-allocated memory blocks. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous in kernel contexts where memory corruption can lead directly to privilege escalation and system compromise.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risks for systems running Bluetooth-enabled operating systems, particularly those that are continuously exposed to Bluetooth communication or have Bluetooth functionality enabled in environments where malicious actors might be present. The local privilege escalation capability means that an attacker who gains access to a low-privilege account or device can potentially elevate their privileges to system level, gaining complete control over the affected system. This could result in unauthorized access to sensitive data, system file manipulation, persistence mechanisms establishment, and further lateral movement within networked environments. The automatic exploitation capability eliminates the need for social engineering or user interaction, making it a particularly attractive target for automated attack frameworks. Systems that rely heavily on Bluetooth connectivity for IoT devices, mobile devices, or enterprise infrastructure are especially vulnerable to this type of attack vector. The impact extends beyond individual device compromise to potential network-wide consequences where a single compromised device can serve as a foothold for broader attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-21310 should focus on immediate patch deployment from vendors, as the most effective solution involves applying the official security updates that address the heap buffer overflow in the Bluetooth subsystem. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit Bluetooth exposure where possible, disabling Bluetooth functionality on systems where it is not required. Monitoring for anomalous Bluetooth activity or unexpected privilege escalation attempts should be enhanced through security information and event management systems. System administrators should consider implementing additional security controls such as kernel address space layout randomization and stack canaries to make exploitation more difficult. The vulnerability's nature suggests that runtime protection mechanisms such as exploit protection software or advanced threat detection systems may provide additional layers of defense. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify systems that may be running vulnerable Bluetooth implementations. Organizations should also review their Bluetooth security policies and ensure that only necessary Bluetooth functionality is enabled, particularly on critical systems where the risk of exploitation could have severe operational consequences. The implementation of principle of least privilege and regular security updates should be prioritized to minimize the attack surface and reduce the likelihood of successful exploitation.