Google warns of severe 'BleedingTooth' Bluetooth flaw in Linux kernel

ZDNet
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Published Oct 14, 2020
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Updated

Google has released details of a high-severity flaw affecting the Bluetooth stack in the Linux kernel versions below Linux 5.9 that support BlueZ. Linux 5.9 was just released two days ago and Intel is recommending in its advisory for the high-severity Bluetooth flaw, CVE-2020-12351, to update the Linux kernel to version 5.9 or later. “Improper input validation in BlueZ may allow an unauthenticated user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via adjacent access,” Intel notes in its advisory for CVE-2020-12351. BlueZ is found on Linux-based IoT devices and is the official Linux Bluetooth stack. More from ZDNET SEE: Security Awareness and Training policy (TechRepublic Premium) Intel says the BlueZ project is releasing Linux kernel fixes to address the high-severity flaw, as well as fixes for two medium-severity flaws, CVE-2020-12352 and CVE-2020-24490. CVE-2020-12352 is due to improper access control in BlueZ that “may allow an unauthenticated user to potentially enable information disclosure via adjacent access.” CVE-2020-24490 refers to BlueZ’s lack of proper buffer restrictions that “may allow an unauthenticated user to potentially enable denial of service via adjacent access.” Andy Nguyen, a security engineer from Google, reported the bugs to Intel. Researchers from Purdue University last month claimed that BlueZ was also vulnerable to BLESA (Bluetooth Low Energy Spoofing Attack), along with the Fluoride (Android), and the iOS BLE stack. Google has detailed the bugs o...

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Affected Software

2 affected components
Linux Linux kernel<5.9, =5.8
Bluez Project Bluez

Frequently Asked Questions

1

Which systems are affected by CVE-2020-12351?

The flaw affects the Bluetooth stack in Linux kernel versions below 5.9 that support BlueZ. BlueZ is the official Linux Bluetooth stack and is found on Linux-based IoT devices.

2

What could an attacker do through the severe BleedingTooth flaw?

Intel says improper input validation in BlueZ may allow an unauthenticated user to potentially escalate privileges through adjacent access.

3

What mitigation is recommended?

Intel recommends updating the Linux kernel to version 5.9 or later. The BlueZ project is also releasing Linux kernel fixes.

4

Are there other BlueZ vulnerabilities addressed by the fixes?

Yes. CVE-2020-12352 may allow information disclosure through adjacent access because of improper access control, while CVE-2020-24490 may allow denial of service through adjacent access due to missing proper buffer restrictions.

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