CVE-2022-25836 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Bluetooth® Low Energy Pairing vulnerability in Bluetooth Core Specification v4.0 through v5.3 allows an unauthenticated Man-in-the-Middle (MITM) attacker to obtain credentials by exploiting a pairing confusion issue.

Understanding CVE-2022-25836

This CVE involves a security flaw in the Bluetooth Low Energy Pairing process, potentially enabling an unauthorized attacker to intercept and acquire user credentials.

What is CVE-2022-25836?

The vulnerability in Bluetooth Core Specification versions 4.0 through 5.3 allows an MITM attacker to perform a Legacy Passkey Pairing with the Initiator device and a Secure Connections Passkey Pairing with the Responder device, exploiting the confusion between the two methods to brute force the Passkey and gain authentication.

The Impact of CVE-2022-25836

This security flaw poses a significant risk as it enables attackers to eavesdrop on the pairing process between Bluetooth devices and ultimately obtain user credentials, potentially leading to unauthorized access and data compromise.

Technical Details of CVE-2022-25836

This section provides more insight into the vulnerability, affected systems, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows an MITM attacker to capture and misuse Passkey values during Bluetooth pairing, exploiting the confusion between Legacy and Secure Connections Passkey Pairing methods.

Affected Systems and Versions

All devices using Bluetooth Core Specification versions 4.0 through 5.3 are vulnerable to this exploit, potentially impacting a wide range of Bluetooth-enabled devices.

Exploitation Mechanism

The exploit involves intercepting the pairing process between two devices and leveraging the confusion between different pairing methods to brute force the Passkey and acquire user credentials.

Mitigation and Prevention

To safeguard against CVE-2022-25836, immediate actions and long-term security practices are essential.

Immediate Steps to Take

Enable Secure Connections mode on Bluetooth devices to prevent access by unauthorized MITM attackers.
Avoid pairing devices in crowded or unsecured environments where MITM attacks are more likely.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update Bluetooth firmware and software to patch known vulnerabilities and enhance security protocols.
Educate users on secure pairing practices and awareness of potential MITM attacks.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories from Bluetooth technology providers to promptly apply patches and updates that address vulnerabilities like CVE-2022-25836.