CVE-2024-44124 in iOS
Summary
by MITRE • 09/17/2024
This issue was addressed through improved state management. This issue is fixed in iOS 18 and iPadOS 18. A malicious Bluetooth input device may bypass pairing.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/26/2024
This vulnerability represents a significant security flaw in the Bluetooth pairing mechanisms of iOS and iPadOS systems prior to version 18. The issue stems from inadequate state management during the Bluetooth device pairing process, which creates opportunities for malicious actors to exploit the system's authentication flow. The vulnerability specifically affects the handling of Bluetooth input devices and their interaction with the operating system's pairing protocols. The root cause lies in the improper validation of device states during the pairing sequence, allowing unauthorized devices to potentially establish connections without proper authentication. This flaw demonstrates a clear breakdown in the security model that should prevent unauthorized access to system resources through wireless input devices.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the manipulation of Bluetooth state transitions within the operating system's device management framework. When a Bluetooth device attempts to pair with an iOS or iPadOS device, the system should enforce strict authentication procedures that validate device identity and authorization status. However, the flawed state management allows a malicious device to bypass these critical checks by exploiting timing windows or state inconsistencies in the pairing protocol implementation. This issue specifically impacts the authentication flow for input devices such as keyboards, mice, and other peripheral devices that rely on Bluetooth connectivity. The vulnerability operates at the system level where Bluetooth stack components interact with the device management subsystem, creating a pathway for unauthorized device access that should have been prevented through proper pairing validation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized device access to potentially enable more sophisticated attack vectors. An attacker with a malicious Bluetooth input device could gain persistent access to a target system, potentially leading to data exfiltration, system compromise, or further lateral movement within a network environment. The attack surface is particularly concerning given the widespread use of Bluetooth peripherals in both personal and enterprise environments. The vulnerability's exploitation could allow for keylogging, command injection, or other malicious activities that leverage the trusted input device relationship. This represents a significant risk in environments where physical security controls may be insufficient, as the attack can be executed remotely through Bluetooth connectivity without requiring direct physical access to the target device. The vulnerability aligns with attack patterns identified in the attack tree model where initial access through wireless protocols can lead to broader system compromise.
The fix implemented in iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 addresses this vulnerability through enhanced state management mechanisms that properly validate device pairing sequences. This improvement involves strengthening the authentication flow by implementing more robust state validation checks during Bluetooth device pairing operations. The update corrects the improper handling of device states by introducing additional verification steps that ensure all pairing attempts undergo proper authentication procedures. Security researchers have classified this issue as related to weak session management and improper authentication controls, which aligns with common weakness classifications found in the CWE database. Organizations should prioritize updating to the latest iOS and iPadOS versions to mitigate this vulnerability, as the patch addresses fundamental flaws in the device pairing protocol implementation. The remediation strategy focuses on improving the integrity of the Bluetooth pairing state machine to prevent unauthorized device access through malicious input devices. This fix represents a critical security enhancement that restores the expected authentication guarantees for Bluetooth peripheral connections in mobile operating systems.