CVE-2018-5383
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows attackers to derive the encryption key used during Bluetooth pairing by exploiting insufficient validation of elliptic curve parameters in Diffie-Hellman key exchanges. Affected systems include macOS before 10.13, iOS before 11.4, and Android devices without the June 2018 security patch.
💻 Affected Systems
- macOS
- iOS
- Android
📦 What is this software?
Android by Google
Android by Google
Android by Google
Android by Google
Android by Google
Android by Google
Android by Google
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete compromise of Bluetooth communications, allowing decryption of all data transmitted between paired devices, including sensitive information like keystrokes, audio, and file transfers.
Likely Case
Eavesdropping on Bluetooth communications between vulnerable devices, potentially capturing sensitive data like passwords, messages, or audio from headsets.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if devices are patched or Bluetooth is disabled; attackers would need proximity and specific timing during pairing.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires proximity to target device during pairing process; proof-of-concept code is publicly available.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: macOS 10.13+, iOS 11.4+, Android June 2018 security patch
Vendor Advisory: https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2019:2169
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Update macOS to 10.13 or later via System Preferences > Software Update. 2. Update iOS to 11.4 or later via Settings > General > Software Update. 3. Update Android devices with June 2018 security patch via Settings > System > System Update.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Bluetooth
linuxTurn off Bluetooth when not in use to prevent pairing attacks.
sudo systemctl stop bluetooth
sudo systemctl disable bluetooth
Use secure pairing methods
allPrefer numeric comparison or out-of-band pairing methods over Just Works pairing.
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Disable Bluetooth on all affected devices and use wired alternatives.
- Implement network segmentation to isolate vulnerable devices from sensitive networks.
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check OS version: macOS < 10.13, iOS < 11.4, or Android patch level before June 2018.Check Version:
macOS: sw_vers -productVersion; iOS: Settings > General > About > Version; Android: Settings > About phone > Android security patch levelVerify Fix Applied:
Confirm OS version is macOS 10.13+, iOS 11.4+, or Android has June 2018 security patch installed.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual Bluetooth pairing attempts
- Multiple failed pairing events from unknown devices
Network Indicators:
- Bluetooth traffic patterns indicating man-in-the-middle attacks during pairing
SIEM Query:
source="bluetooth" event_type="pairing" result="failed" | stats count by device_mac🔗 References
- http://www.cs.technion.ac.il/~biham/BT/
- http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/104879
- http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1041432
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2019:2169
- https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2019/04/msg00005.html
- https://usn.ubuntu.com/4094-1/
- https://usn.ubuntu.com/4095-1/
- https://usn.ubuntu.com/4095-2/
- https://usn.ubuntu.com/4118-1/
- https://usn.ubuntu.com/4351-1/
- https://www.bluetooth.com/news/unknown/2018/07/bluetooth-sig-security-update
- https://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/304725
- http://www.cs.technion.ac.il/~biham/BT/
- http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/104879
- http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1041432
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2019:2169
- https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2019/04/msg00005.html
- https://usn.ubuntu.com/4094-1/
- https://usn.ubuntu.com/4095-1/
- https://usn.ubuntu.com/4095-2/
- https://usn.ubuntu.com/4118-1/
- https://usn.ubuntu.com/4351-1/
- https://www.bluetooth.com/news/unknown/2018/07/bluetooth-sig-security-update
- https://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/304725
