CVE-2021-41229 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

A memory leak vulnerability in BlueZ Bluetooth protocol stack for Linux may allow an attacker to crash the service of the target device over time.

Understanding CVE-2021-41229

BlueZ is affected by a memory leak issue in the sdp_cstate_alloc_buf function, leading to potential service crashes.

What is CVE-2021-41229?

The vulnerability in BlueZ allocates memory that remains stuck in a linked list, causing a memory leak over time, potentially crashing the target device's service.

The Impact of CVE-2021-41229

Attackers can exploit the vulnerability through continuous sending of sdp packets, causing service crashes.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-41229

BlueZ is affected by a memory leak vulnerability that could result in service disruptions.

Vulnerability Description

The sdp_cstate_alloc_buf function in BlueZ does not release allocated memory, leading to memory leaks and service crashes.

Affected Systems and Versions

Vendor: BlueZ
Product: BlueZ
Versions Affected: 5.58

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers exploit the vulnerability by continuously sending sdp packets, triggering memory leaks and potential service crashes.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate action and long-term security practices can help mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2021-41229.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update BlueZ to a non-vulnerable version if available.
Implement network segmentation to limit exposure.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and apply patches promptly.
Conduct security assessments to identify and remediate vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Apply security updates provided by BlueZ to address the memory leak vulnerability.