CVE-2021-21367 Incorrect Authorization in switchboard-plug-bluetooth
Attackers can pair with devices without user consent, potentially extracting data or controlling input if specific services are installed.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Not needed
- Attackable
- Local or same network only
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- Available
What is CVE-2021-21367?
CVE-2021-21367 is a medium-severity missing authorization vulnerability in Fedoraproject Fedora, published on 12 Mar 2021. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, with no action from the victim.
Official description
Switchboard Bluetooth Plug for elementary OS from version 2.3.0 and before version version 2.3.5 has an incorrect authorization vulnerability. When the Bluetooth plug is running (in discoverable mode), Bluetooth service requests and pairing requests are automatically accepted, allowing physically proximate attackers to pair with a device running an affected version of switchboard-plug-bluetooth without the active consent of the user. By default, elementary OS doesn't expose any services via Bluetooth that allow information to be extracted by paired Bluetooth devices. However, if such services (i.e. contact list sharing software) have been installed, it's possible that attackers have been able to extract data from such services without authorization. If no such services have been installed, attackers are only able to pair with a device running an affected version without authorization and then play audio out of the device or possibly present a HID device (keyboard, mouse, etc...) to control the device. As such, users should check the list of trusted/paired devices and remove any that are not 100% confirmed to be genuine. This is fixed in version 2.3.5. To reduce the likelihood of this vulnerability on an unpatched version, only open the Bluetooth plug for short intervals when absolutely necessary and preferably not in crowded public areas. To mitigate the risk entirely with unpatched versions, do not open the Bluetooth plug within switchboard at all, and use a different method for pairing devices if necessary (e.g. `bluetoothctl` CLI).
Weakness: CWE-863
Which versions are affected by CVE-2021-21367?
It affects 2 products.
Linux distribution packages (1)
switchboard-plug-bluetooth openSUSE:Tumbleweed | All versions | 8.0.1-1.1 |
Products include Elementary Switchboard Bluetooth Plug, Fedoraproject Fedora.
How do I fix CVE-2021-21367?
Upgrade to a fixed version.
Upgrade, and check permissions on every request on the server, not only in the interface. More about Missing authorization.
Is CVE-2021-21367 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2021-21367 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Sources
Also known as GHSA-5p3g-j69g-w2mq, openSUSE-SU-2024:14486-1.