Network Communication / Use of an Insecure Bluetooth Connection

Description

Use of an insecure Bluetooth connection is a network communication vulnerability (CWE-18) that affects Android, iOS and Mobile App platforms. According to the OWASP Testing Guide, this vulnerability occurs when an application uses an insecure Bluetooth connection to communicate with devices or other applications. This can lead to the leakage of sensitive data and allows remote attackers to gain access to the system.

Risk

The risk associated with this vulnerability is high as it allows malicious actors to gain access to the application and its data. It can also enable attackers to modify or delete data, resulting in significant financial losses or reputational damage to the organization.

Solution

The best solution to this vulnerability is to ensure that all applications use secure Bluetooth connections. This can be achieved by using up-to-date encryption protocols and protocols that are tailored to the application's needs. Additionally, developers should also ensure that authentication procedures are in place to prevent unauthorized access.

Example

The following example from the CVE directory shows the use of an insecure Bluetooth connection in an Android application.

if (!mAdapter.isEnabled() || !mAdapter.getBondedDevices().isEmpty()) {
    Intent enableBtIntent = new Intent(BluetoothAdapter.ACTION_REQUEST_ENABLE);
    startActivityForResult(enableBtIntent, REQUEST_ENABLE_BT);
}

This code enables Bluetooth if it is not already enabled, and if there are no bonded devices. This code does not provide any security measures, allowing attackers to connect to the device without any authentication.