CVE-2021-0583
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a tapjacking/overlay vulnerability in Android's Bluetooth pairing dialog that allows malicious apps to trick users into enabling Bluetooth without their consent. Attackers could exploit this to escalate privileges locally on affected Android devices. The vulnerability affects Android 9 and 10 devices where users have installed malicious applications.
💻 Affected Systems
- Android
📦 What is this software?
Android by Google
Android by Google
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
An attacker gains local privilege escalation, potentially accessing sensitive device data, intercepting Bluetooth communications, or enabling further attacks through Bluetooth vulnerabilities.
Likely Case
Malicious apps trick users into enabling Bluetooth, allowing attackers to perform Bluetooth-based attacks like data interception or device pairing without proper consent.
If Mitigated
With proper app permissions and user awareness, the attack surface is reduced, though the vulnerability still exists in unpatched systems.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires user interaction (installing/running malicious app) and specific timing to overlay the Bluetooth pairing dialog.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Android Security Patch Level October 2021 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://source.android.com/security/bulletin/aaos/2021-10-01
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Check for Android system updates in Settings > System > Advanced > System update. 2. Install the October 2021 security patch or later. 3. Restart the device after installation.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Bluetooth when not in use
androidManually disable Bluetooth in device settings to prevent exploitation attempts
Restrict app installation sources
androidOnly install apps from trusted sources like Google Play Store
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Disable Bluetooth functionality entirely in device settings
- Implement strict app installation policies and only allow trusted applications
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Android version in Settings > About phone > Android version. If version is 9 or 10 and security patch level is before October 2021, device is vulnerable.Check Version:
Settings > About phone > Android version and Security patch levelVerify Fix Applied:
Verify Android version is updated beyond Android 10 or security patch level is October 2021 or later in Settings > About phone.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unexpected Bluetooth enablement events
- Overlay permission abuse by applications
Network Indicators:
- Unexpected Bluetooth pairing attempts
- Bluetooth traffic from untrusted devices
SIEM Query:
Look for Bluetooth service activation events without user interaction patterns