CVE-2023-42941 in iOS
Summary
by MITRE • 01/11/2024
The issue was addressed with improved checks. This issue is fixed in iOS 17.2 and iPadOS 17.2. An attacker in a privileged network position may be able to perform a denial-of-service attack using crafted Bluetooth packets.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/16/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-42941 represents a significant security weakness in Apple's iOS and iPadOS operating systems that could enable a sophisticated denial-of-service attack through Bluetooth communication channels. This flaw specifically affects versions prior to iOS 17.2 and iPadOS 17.2, indicating that Apple's security team recognized the potential threat posed by improperly validated Bluetooth packet handling within their mobile operating systems. The vulnerability's classification as a privilege-based attack vector suggests that an adversary with network-level access could exploit this weakness to disrupt normal device operations, potentially affecting millions of users who rely on Bluetooth connectivity for various device functionalities including wireless headphones, smartwatches, and other IoT peripherals.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms within the Bluetooth protocol stack implementation. When crafted malicious Bluetooth packets are transmitted to affected devices, the system fails to properly sanitize or reject these malformed communications, leading to potential system instability or complete service disruption. This flaw aligns with common software security principles where inadequate validation of external inputs creates opportunities for attackers to manipulate system behavior through carefully constructed data payloads. The issue demonstrates how wireless communication protocols can serve as attack vectors when proper defensive measures are not implemented at multiple layers of the system architecture, particularly within the kernel-level Bluetooth handling components that process incoming wireless signals.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability presents a serious risk to end-user productivity and device availability, as Bluetooth connectivity is fundamental to many mobile device functions and user experiences. The attack scenario requires an adversary to occupy a privileged network position, suggesting that the threat is not limited to casual attackers but could involve sophisticated threat actors with network access capabilities. This could potentially occur in environments where attackers have control over wireless network infrastructure or can position themselves within range of target devices, making the attack surface broader than initially apparent. The implications extend beyond simple service disruption to potentially affecting device security features that depend on reliable Bluetooth communication channels, including location services, secure pairing mechanisms, and other Bluetooth-dependent security protocols.
The mitigation strategy implemented by Apple through the iOS 17.2 and iPadOS 17.2 updates demonstrates a proactive approach to addressing this vulnerability by introducing enhanced validation checks within the Bluetooth processing pipeline. These improvements likely involve stricter packet format validation, enhanced error handling mechanisms, and potentially more robust state management for Bluetooth connections to prevent malformed packets from causing system instability. The fix aligns with industry best practices for protocol security and represents a typical remediation approach for input validation vulnerabilities that could lead to denial-of-service conditions. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability highlights the importance of comprehensive protocol validation, particularly for wireless communication interfaces that operate in untrusted network environments, and emphasizes the need for regular security updates to maintain system integrity against evolving threats.
This vulnerability can be categorized under CWE-20, which addresses "Improper Input Validation," and may also relate to CWE-129, "Improper Validation of Array Index," if the issue involves buffer handling within Bluetooth packet processing. The attack pattern corresponds to T1499.004 in the ATT&CK framework, which covers "Endpoint Denial of Service" techniques, and potentially T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter usage if attackers attempt to exploit the vulnerability through automated tools. The remediation approach taken by Apple demonstrates the standard security industry practice of implementing defense-in-depth measures, where multiple validation layers are employed to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in the future. Organizations should prioritize updating affected systems to the patched versions and consider implementing network monitoring to detect anomalous Bluetooth traffic patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining current security patches for mobile operating systems, particularly given the widespread use of Bluetooth connectivity in modern computing environments where device interconnectivity is essential for user productivity and security.