CVE-2022-40503

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2022-40503?

CVE-2022-40503 has a CVSS score of 8.2 (HIGH). This vulnerability allows attackers to read sensitive information from Bluetooth-enabled devices during A2DP audio streaming. It affects devices with Qualcomm Bluetooth chipsets that have not been patched. Attackers within Bluetooth range could potentially access memory contents they shouldn't see.

8.2 HIGH

📋 TL;DR

This vulnerability allows attackers to read sensitive information from Bluetooth-enabled devices during A2DP audio streaming. It affects devices with Qualcomm Bluetooth chipsets that have not been patched. Attackers within Bluetooth range could potentially access memory contents they shouldn't see.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

Qualcomm Bluetooth chipsets
Devices using Qualcomm Bluetooth technology

Versions: Specific affected versions not publicly detailed in references

Operating Systems: Android, Linux-based systems with Qualcomm Bluetooth

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: Affects devices with Bluetooth enabled and using A2DP profile for audio streaming. The vulnerability is in the Bluetooth Host implementation.

📦 What is this software?

⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

🔴

Worst Case

Attackers could read sensitive data from device memory, potentially including authentication tokens, encryption keys, or other confidential information stored in adjacent memory regions.

🟠

Likely Case

Information disclosure of non-critical data from Bluetooth stack memory, potentially revealing device information or partial data fragments.

🟢

If Mitigated

Limited impact with proper Bluetooth security controls and network segmentation in place.

🌐 Internet-Facing: LOW - Requires physical proximity via Bluetooth, not internet connectivity.

🏢 Internal Only: MEDIUM - Internal devices with Bluetooth enabled could be targeted by attackers with physical access to facilities.

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: UNKNOWN

Unauthenticated Exploit: ⚠️ Yes

Complexity: MEDIUM

Exploitation requires Bluetooth proximity and knowledge of the vulnerability. No public exploit code was found in the provided references.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: Patches included in Qualcomm's April 2023 security bulletin

Vendor Advisory: https://www.qualcomm.com/company/product-security/bulletins/april-2023-bulletin

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

1. Check with device manufacturer for firmware updates. 2. Apply Qualcomm-provided patches for Bluetooth stack. 3. Update device firmware to latest version. 4. Restart device after patching.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Disable Bluetooth when not in use

all

Turn off Bluetooth functionality to prevent exploitation

# Linux: rfkill block bluetooth
# Android: Settings > Connected devices > Connection preferences > Bluetooth > Turn off

Disable A2DP profile

linux

Prevent use of A2DP audio streaming profile

# Linux: Modify Bluetooth configuration to disable A2DP
# Check device-specific documentation for A2DP disabling

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Implement network segmentation to isolate Bluetooth-enabled devices
Enable Bluetooth security features like authentication and encryption

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check device firmware version against Qualcomm security bulletins. Review Bluetooth chipset version and firmware.

Check Version:

# Linux: hciconfig -a | grep Firmware
# Android: Settings > About phone > Build number

Verify Fix Applied:

Verify firmware version has been updated to include April 2023 or later Qualcomm security patches.

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Unusual Bluetooth connection attempts
Multiple failed A2DP connection attempts
Bluetooth stack crashes or errors

Network Indicators:

Suspicious Bluetooth traffic patterns
Unexpected A2DP profile usage

SIEM Query:

bluetooth AND (a2dp OR "audio streaming") AND (error OR crash OR failed)

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2022-40503

CVSS v3 Score: 8.2 (HIGH)

CVSS Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:L

CWE: CWE-126

Published: April 13, 2023

Last Updated: November 21, 2024

🔗 References

https://www.qualcomm.com/company/product-security/bulletins/april-2023-bulletin Patch,Vendor Advisory
https://www.qualcomm.com/company/product-security/bulletins/april-2023-bulletin Patch,Vendor Advisory

📋 TL;DR

💻 Affected Systems

📦 What is this software?

8905 Firmware by Qualcomm

8909 Firmware by Qualcomm

8953 Firmware by Qualcomm

8953pro Firmware by Qualcomm

9206 Lte Modem Firmware by Qualcomm

Apq5053 Aa Firmware by Qualcomm

Apq8017 Firmware by Qualcomm

Apq8053 Aa Firmware by Qualcomm

Apq8053 Ac Firmware by Qualcomm

Apq8053 Lite Firmware by Qualcomm

Apq8064au Firmware by Qualcomm

Aqt1000 Firmware by Qualcomm

Ar8031 Firmware by Qualcomm

C V2x 9150 Firmware by Qualcomm

Csra6620 Firmware by Qualcomm

Csra6640 Firmware by Qualcomm

Flight Rb5 5g Platform Firmware by Qualcomm

Mdm9250 Firmware by Qualcomm

Mdm9628 Firmware by Qualcomm

Mdm9650 Firmware by Qualcomm

Msm8108 Firmware by Qualcomm

Msm8209 Firmware by Qualcomm

Msm8608 Firmware by Qualcomm

Msm8909w Firmware by Qualcomm

Msm8996au Firmware by Qualcomm

Qam8295p Firmware by Qualcomm

Qca6174a Firmware by Qualcomm

Qca6310 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qca6320 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qca6335 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qca6390 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qca6391 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qca6420 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qca6426 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qca6430 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qca6436 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qca6554a Firmware by Qualcomm

Qca6564 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qca6564a Firmware by Qualcomm

Qca6564au Firmware by Qualcomm

Qca6574 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qca6574a Firmware by Qualcomm

Qca6574au Firmware by Qualcomm

Qca6584au Firmware by Qualcomm

Qca6595 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qca6595au Firmware by Qualcomm

Qca6696 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qca8337 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qca9367 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qca9377 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qcm2290 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qcm4290 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qcm6125 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qcm6490 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qcn7606 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qcn9011 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qcn9012 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qcn9074 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qcs2290 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qcs400 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qcs410 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qcs4290 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qcs605 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qcs610 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qcs6125 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qcs6490 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qm215 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qrb5165 Firmware by Qualcomm

Qrb5165m Firmware by Qualcomm

Qrb5165n Firmware by Qualcomm

Sa6145p Firmware by Qualcomm

Sa6150p Firmware by Qualcomm

Sa6155p Firmware by Qualcomm

Sa8145p Firmware by Qualcomm

Sa8150p Firmware by Qualcomm

Sa8155p Firmware by Qualcomm

Sa8195p Firmware by Qualcomm