CVE-2023-20982
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes an out-of-bounds read vulnerability in Android's Bluetooth stack that could allow local information disclosure. Attackers with system execution privileges could exploit this to read memory contents without user interaction. Only Android 13 devices with Bluetooth enabled are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- Android
📦 What is this software?
Android by Google
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Privileged attacker reads sensitive memory contents from Bluetooth server process, potentially exposing cryptographic keys, authentication tokens, or other system data.
Likely Case
Local attacker with system privileges reads limited memory contents, potentially exposing Bluetooth-related data or adjacent memory regions.
If Mitigated
With proper privilege separation and memory protection, impact is limited to non-sensitive Bluetooth stack data.
🎯 Exploit Status
Requires system execution privileges and knowledge of memory layout. No public exploits known.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Android Security Patch Level 2023-06-01 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://source.android.com/security/bulletin/pixel/2023-06-01
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Check for system updates in Settings > System > System update. 2. Install Android Security Patch Level 2023-06-01 or later. 3. Reboot device after installation.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Bluetooth
androidTemporarily disable Bluetooth to prevent exploitation of this vulnerability
adb shell settings put global bluetooth_on 0
Settings > Connected devices > Connection preferences > Bluetooth > Turn off
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Restrict system privileges to trusted applications only
- Implement application sandboxing and privilege separation to limit impact
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Android version and security patch level: Settings > About phone > Android version and Security updateCheck Version:
adb shell getprop ro.build.version.security_patchVerify Fix Applied:
Verify Security Patch Level is 2023-06-01 or later in Settings > About phone📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual Bluetooth stack crashes or memory access errors in system logs
- Suspicious privilege escalation attempts to system level
Network Indicators:
- None - this is a local vulnerability
SIEM Query:
source="android_system" AND ("btm_read_tx_power_complete" OR "Bluetooth stack crash")