CVE-2026-19291 in WiseConnect
Summary
by MITRE • 08/13/2026
Bluetooth re-pairing with an existing device can use a lower security level. RS9116W and SiWx91x impacted. See V3 in the BLERP paper linked below.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/13/2026
This vulnerability relates to a security flaw in Bluetooth implementations where devices can be re-paired with existing connections using reduced security protocols rather than maintaining the original security level established during initial pairing. The issue specifically affects RS9116W and SiWx91x chipsets, which are commonly used in IoT and wireless communication applications. When a device undergoes re-pairing operations, the system may inadvertently accept lower security parameters, potentially allowing attackers to establish connections with reduced cryptographic protection. This behavior creates a significant security risk as it undermines the established trust relationship between devices. The vulnerability is documented in the BLERP paper under V3 section, which details how Bluetooth security mechanisms can be bypassed during re-pairing scenarios. The flaw essentially allows for downgrade attacks where an adversary could force a device to use weaker encryption or authentication methods during subsequent pairing operations. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-310, which addresses cryptographic weaknesses in security protocols. From an operational perspective, this issue impacts the integrity and confidentiality of Bluetooth communications, potentially enabling man-in-the-middle attacks or unauthorized access to sensitive data exchanged between paired devices. The attack surface is particularly concerning for IoT deployments where these chipsets are prevalent, as they often handle critical communication functions without proper security enforcement during re-pairing operations.
The technical implementation flaw occurs at the Bluetooth stack level where the pairing procedure does not adequately validate that security parameters remain consistent during re-pairing sequences. The system should enforce that any re-pairing operation maintains or increases the security level compared to the original pairing, but instead allows for potential degradation. This behavior violates fundamental security principles of maintaining cryptographic strength throughout device communication lifecycles. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates transparently within normal Bluetooth operations, making detection difficult for end users or system administrators. Security researchers have identified that this issue stems from improper state management during Bluetooth pairing protocols, where the system fails to properly validate re-pairing parameters against established security policies. The implementation does not enforce mandatory security checks that would prevent downgrade scenarios, creating a persistent weakness in the authentication framework.
From an attack perspective, this vulnerability enables adversaries to exploit the re-pairing functionality for malicious purposes such as establishing unauthorized connections or weakening existing secure communications. An attacker could potentially intercept Bluetooth traffic between two devices and force them into a lower security pairing state, thereby compromising data integrity and confidentiality. The operational impact extends beyond simple data exposure, as this weakness can be leveraged to perform more sophisticated attacks including credential harvesting or privilege escalation within connected systems. Organizations using RS9116W and SiWx91x chipsets in critical infrastructure applications face significant risk from this vulnerability, particularly in environments where Bluetooth is used for secure device authentication or access control. The attack patterns align with techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under network security evasion tactics, specifically targeting the persistence and privilege escalation phases of an attack lifecycle. This vulnerability demonstrates how seemingly routine operations like re-pairing can be weaponized to undermine overall system security posture.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing strict security parameter validation during all pairing operations, including re-pairing scenarios. Organizations should ensure that any re-pairing process enforces minimum security requirements that cannot be bypassed or downgraded. Firmware updates are critical for addressing this vulnerability at the chipset level, requiring manufacturers to implement proper state management for Bluetooth pairing protocols. System administrators should conduct thorough inventory assessments to identify all devices using affected chipsets and implement monitoring solutions capable of detecting anomalous pairing behavior. Network segmentation and access controls can help limit the impact if re-pairing attacks are successfully executed. The implementation of security policies that enforce mandatory cryptographic strength during all Bluetooth operations provides the most effective defense against this particular vulnerability. Regular security audits should be conducted to ensure that Bluetooth pairing configurations maintain appropriate security levels throughout device lifecycle management, preventing the exploitation of downgrade scenarios that could compromise overall network security.