Decade-old Bluetooth Flaw Lets Hackers Steal Data Passing Between Devices
Serious error in the wireless protocol also lets hackers tamper with data.
A large number of device makers is patching a serious vulnerability in the Bluetooth specification that allows attackers to intercept and tamper with data exchanged wirelessly. People who use Bluetooth to connect smartphones, computers, or other security-sensitive devices should make sure they install a fix as soon as possible.
The attack, which was disclosed in a research paper published Wednesday, is serious because it allows people to perform a man-in-the-middle attack on the connection between vulnerable devices. From there, attackers can view any exchanged data, which might include contacts stored on a device, passwords typed on a keyboard, or sensitive information used by medical, point-of-sale, or automotive equipment. Attackers could also forge keystrokes on a Bluetooth keyboard to open up a command window or malicious website in an outright compromise of the connected phone or computer.
Not novel
Bluetooth combines Simple Secure Pairing or LE Secure Connections with principles of elliptic curve mathematics to allow devices that have never connected before to securely establish a secret key needed for encrypted communications. The attack uses a newly developed variant of what cryptographers call an invalid curve attack to exploit a major shortcoming in the Bluetooth protocol that remained unknown for more than a decade. As a result, attackers can force the devices to use a known encryption key that allows the monitoring and modifying of data wirelessly passing between them.
“This attack lets an attacker who can read and modify Bluetooth traffic during pairing force the key to be something they know,” JP Smith, a security engineer and Bluetooth security expert at security firm Trail of Bits, told Ars. “It’s not mathematically/theoretically novel at all, and it’s in fact about the simplest attack you can do on elliptic curve cryptosystems. Notably, this is a protocol-level fault, so if you implemented the Bluetooth spec out of the book (without some optional validation), you have this bug.”
The active man-in-the-middle attack that allows data to be modified works successfully on 50 percent of the pairings, with the remainder failing. A related passive attack works on 25 percent of the pairings. Attackers who don't succeed on the first attempt are free to try on later pairings. Attacks work even when pairings require the user to type a six-digit number displayed on one device into the other one. Attacks require specialized hardware that probably wouldn’t be hard for more advanced hackers to build or obtain.
In the paper, researchers from Technion–Israel Institute of Technology write:
We would like to point out two major design flaws that make our attack possible. The first design flaw is sending both the x-coordinate and the y-coordinate during the public key exchange. This is unnecessary and highly inadvisable, since it greatly increases the attack surface, while calculating the y-coordinate from a given x-coordinate is simple.
The second major flaw is that although both coordinates of the public keys are sent during the second phase of the pairing, the protocol authenticates only the x-coordinate. We are not aware of any reason why the designers decided to leave the y-coordinate unauthenticated, other than for saving a tiny computational effort. Even though the point validity should be checked by the implementation, our attack could have also been avoided if both coordinates were authenticated.
Another less significant flaw is that in the protocol designers state that “To protect a device’s private key, a device should implement a method to prevent an attacker from retrieving useful information about the device’s private key using invalid public keys. For this purpose, a device can use one of the following methods.” In this quote, the specification uses the term “should” (as opposed to “must”). Therefore, implementors may skip the instruction as it is not mandatory for compliance with the specification.
A variety of devices and software—including those running macOS, iOS, or Android or made by LG or Huawei—have already received patches. In a FAQ, the researchers said Bluetooth from Microsoft “implements an old version of the standard, which is even less secure, rather than the broken contemporary standard.” An advisory from CERT is here.
For attacks to be successful, both of the paired devices must be vulnerable. That means as long as either one is patched, users aren’t susceptible. People who use Bluetooth to transmit sensitive data or control trusted devices should ensure they have installed patches on at least one of them. While patches are available for many mainstream devices, there are likely many more specialized ones used in hospitals, stores, and other environments that will remain unprotected for the foreseeable future. Users of these devices should check with manufacturers.
Source: arstechnica
Latest Jobs
-
- Azure Identity Consultant
- Netherlands
- discussed on applications
-
Are you a cybersecurity expert passionate about identity and access management? We are seeking a talented IAM Technical Specialist to join our Sec Ops team. In this role, you will play a pivotal part in developing and maintaining our IAM infrastructure, ensuring the highest levels of security and compliance. What you'll do: Design, implement, and maintain IAM solutions for both on-premise and cloud environments. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate IAM systems into various applications and processes. Conduct security assessments and risk analysis to identify and mitigate vulnerabilities. Stay up-to-date with the latest IAM technologies and industry best practices. What we're looking for: Experience: experience as a technical specialist with expertise in AD management. IGA concepts: Experience with Identity Governance and Administration (IGA) concepts such as RBAC, PAM, SIEM, SSO, segregation of duties (SoD), data classification, and recertification. Azure Identity Management: Minimum 2 years of demonstrable experience with Azure identity management, specifically within complex organizations. IT knowledge: Good general knowledge of IT environments such as Active Directory, Azure Cloud, Office 365, SharePoint Online, etc. Protocol knowledge: Familiar with SAML, OIDC, OAuth, and SCIM. Programming languages: Minimum 3 years of experience with development languages such as PowerShell; knowledge of Java or C# is a plus.
-
- Cloud Architect- German Speaker
- Hungary
- Upto €48000 per year + bonus + benefits
-
As a Senior Pre-Sales Solutions Architect, you will play a pivotal role in driving our sales success by translating complex technical solutions into compelling proposals that resonate with our clients. You will collaborate closely with our sales teams to understand customer needs, design tailored solutions, and negotiate successful deals. Responsibilities: Solution Design: Develop comprehensive technical solutions that align with customer business objectives and industry best practices. Proposal Development: Create compelling proposals, including requirements gathering questionnaires, presentation materials, and Statements of Work (SOWs). Customer Engagement: Build strong relationships with clients, understanding their technical, business, and commercial requirements. Collaboration: Work closely with sales teams, delivery teams, and third-party partners to ensure successful project execution. Pricing Strategy: Define and deliver pricing strategies that align with customer needs and company objectives. Requirements: Experience in technical pre-sales or sales support roles. Proven track record in designing and delivering successful customer solutions. Strong technical foundation in areas such as VMware, Azure, AWS, cloud computing, and data center technologies. Excellent understanding of sales principles, account management, and negotiation techniques. Ability to explain complex technical concepts clearly and concisely. Experience working in international teams and supporting clients across multiple regions. Fluency in German and English is essential. Benefits: Competitive salary and benefits package Opportunity to work on challenging and rewarding projects Collaborative and supportive work environment Potential for career growth and advancement Please note that this role is focused on supporting German clients, but will also involve global client support as needed.
-
- Microsoft Sentinel Architect
- United Kingdom
- discussed on applications
-
Microsoft Sentinel Architect We're seeking a talented and experienced Microsoft Sentinel Architect to be responsible for the design, deploy of a new Sentinel solution into an expanding Services business. As a key member of our team, you'll play a vital role in driving security operations and protecting clients' assets. Responsibilities: Solution Design: Develop comprehensive Microsoft Sentinel architectures aligned with our clients' specific needs and industry best practices. Deployment and Configuration: Oversee the deployment and configuration of Sentinel components, including data connectors, analytics rules, and playbooks. Integration: Integrate Sentinel with other security tools and platforms within our MSSP ecosystem. Tuning and Optimization: Continuously monitor and optimize Sentinel performance to ensure maximum effectiveness and efficiency. Training and Mentoring: Mentor junior team members and provide training on Sentinel technologies and best practices. Required Skills and Experience: Proven experience as a Microsoft Sentinel Architect with a deep understanding of its capabilities and limitations. Strong technical skills in Azure, security operations, and data analytics. Experience designing and implementing complex security solutions, into a services environment Knowledge of threat intelligence, incident response, and compliance frameworks. Excellent communication and problem-solving skills.
-
- Network & Security Consultant
- Romania
- €54000 plus benefits
-
Senior Network & Security Engineer to join a Managed Network & Security Team in Europe. In this critical role, you will: Play a pivotal role in managing and securing network infrastructure across datacenters, customer connections, and on-premise deployments. Proactively monitor network and security devices, analyse incidents, and implement solutions to ensure optimal performance and security. Collaborate with colleagues and customers to troubleshoot issues, troubleshoot outages, and implement effective resolutions. Lead and participate in network system installations for new facilities and expansions. Develop and maintain network infrastructure procedures, recommend technical strategies, and propose improvements to enhance network capabilities. Stay up-to-date on the latest network and security technologies and trends. Work as part of a collaborative international team, contributing to team presentations and knowledge sharing. To be successful, you'll need: Proven expertise in Cisco network solutions (CCNP R&S/Sec/Wireless preferred) for both BAU and project work. In-depth knowledge of network security principles and experience with Fortinet firewalls. Experience deploying and managing large, complex network infrastructure (routing, switching, wireless, security). Solid understanding of ITIL v3 framework for incident, change, and problem management. Excellent troubleshooting skills with experience using Wireshark or similar protocol analysers. Strong communication and teamwork skills, with the ability to work independently and collaborate effectively.