CVE-2023-28908 in Volkswagen MIB3 Infotainment System MIB3 OI MQB
Summary
by MITRE • 06/28/2025
A specific flaw exists within the Bluetooth stack of the MIB3 infotainment. The issue results from the lack of proper validation of user-supplied data, which can result in an integer overflow when receiving non-fragmented HCI packets on a channel. The vulnerability was originally discovered in Skoda Superb III car with MIB3 infotainment unit OEM part number 3V0035820. The list of affected MIB3 OEM part numbers is provided in the referenced resources.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/01/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-28908 represents a critical security flaw within the Bluetooth stack of Volkswagen Group's MIB3 infotainment systems, specifically affecting vehicles including the Skoda Superb III. This issue stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the system's handling of Bluetooth communication protocols, creating a pathway for potential exploitation that could compromise vehicle safety and security. The vulnerability manifests when the system processes non-fragmented HCI (Host Controller Interface) packets on a designated channel, exposing the underlying infrastructure to malicious manipulation through crafted data sequences.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the absence of proper integer overflow protection mechanisms within the Bluetooth stack implementation. When processing incoming HCI packets, the system fails to validate the size and structure of user-supplied data before performing arithmetic operations that could result in integer overflow conditions. This weakness creates an environment where an attacker could craft specially formatted packets that, when processed by the infotainment system, trigger unexpected behavior in the memory management and packet handling components. The vulnerability specifically impacts the channel processing logic where non-fragmented packets are received, making it particularly dangerous as it operates at a fundamental level of the communication stack.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to vehicle cybersecurity and passenger safety. The MIB3 infotainment system serves as a gateway for numerous vehicle functions and external communications, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to gain unauthorized access to vehicle systems. The integer overflow condition could potentially lead to memory corruption, system crashes, or even allow for code execution within the infotainment environment. This represents a serious concern for automotive security as it could enable attackers to compromise vehicle control systems, access sensitive data, or potentially manipulate vehicle functions through Bluetooth communication channels that are typically considered secure.
The implications of this vulnerability extend beyond simple denial-of-service conditions to potentially enabling more sophisticated attacks within the automotive cybersecurity landscape. The flaw aligns with common attack patterns documented in the ATT&CK framework for automotive systems, particularly those targeting vehicle infotainment and connectivity components. This vulnerability could serve as a foothold for attackers seeking to escalate privileges or move laterally within vehicle networks, especially given that many modern vehicles utilize interconnected systems where infotainment components often share network segments with critical vehicle functions. The specific targeting of OEM part numbers including 3V0035820 indicates this is not an isolated incident but rather a systemic issue affecting multiple vehicle models within the Volkswagen Group portfolio.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on both immediate patching and long-term architectural improvements to the Bluetooth stack implementation. Vehicle manufacturers should prioritize rolling out firmware updates that implement proper input validation and integer overflow protection mechanisms within the HCI packet processing components. Additionally, network segmentation and monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous Bluetooth traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of applying security-by-design principles to automotive systems and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of all communication protocols within vehicle infotainment and control systems. Organizations should also consider implementing runtime protection mechanisms and anomaly detection systems that can identify and respond to potential exploitation attempts targeting similar vulnerabilities in automotive network components.
This vulnerability represents a clear example of how insufficient input validation can create critical security weaknesses in embedded systems, particularly those operating in safety-critical environments like automotive applications. The integer overflow condition described in CVE-2023-28908 directly relates to CWE-190, which specifically addresses integer overflow and underflow conditions, and demonstrates how such weaknesses can be exploited in automotive contexts to potentially compromise vehicle safety systems. The issue underscores the growing importance of automotive cybersecurity standards and the need for comprehensive security frameworks that address the unique challenges posed by connected vehicle technologies and their integration with traditional automotive systems.