CVE-2021-21367
MEDIUMDescription
Switchboard Bluetooth Plug for elementary OS from version 2.3.0 and before version version 2.3.5 has an incorrect authorization vulnerability. When the Bluetooth plug is running (in discoverable mode), Bluetooth service requests and pairing requests are automatically accepted, allowing physically proximate attackers to pair with a device running an affected version of switchboard-plug-bluetooth without the active consent of the user. By default, elementary OS doesn't expose any services via Bluetooth that allow information to be extracted by paired Bluetooth devices. However, if such services (i.e. contact list sharing software) have been installed, it's possible that attackers have been able to extract data from such services without authorization. If no such services have been installed, attackers are only able to pair with a device running an affected version without authorization and then play audio out of the device or possibly present a HID device (keyboard, mouse, etc...) to control the device. As such, users should check the list of trusted/paired devices and remove any that are not 100% confirmed to be genuine. This is fixed in version 2.3.5. To reduce the likelihood of this vulnerability on an unpatched version, only open the Bluetooth plug for short intervals when absolutely necessary and preferably not in crowded public areas. To mitigate the risk entirely with unpatched versions, do not open the Bluetooth plug within switchboard at all, and use a different method for pairing devices if necessary (e.g. `bluetoothctl` CLI).
How to fix
Remediation is compiled from vendor and distribution security advisories. Always confirm against the linked source for your exact version and platform.
CVSS v3 Vector
Exploitability
Impact
CVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:L/I:N/A:L
Exploit Intelligence
Moderate risk: more likely to be exploited than 40% of all known CVEs.
References
Related Vulnerabilities
Other CWE-863 (Incorrect Authorization) vulnerabilities, ordered by exploit likelihood. View all
| CVE | Severity | CVSS | EPSS | Exploited | Fix |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CVE-2023-22518 | Critical | 9.8 | 100% | KEV + Ransom | Fix |
| CVE-2023-38035 | Critical | 9.8 | 100% | KEV + Ransom | - |
| CVE-2022-46169 | Critical | 9.8 | 100% | KEV | Fix |
| CVE-2025-29927 | Critical | 9.1 | 100% | - | Fix |
| CVE-2024-38856 | Critical | 9.8 | 99% | KEV | Fix |
| CVE-2020-36289 | Medium | 5.3 | 99% | - | Fix |
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Start freeThis product uses NVD data but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. EPSS scores courtesy of FIRST.org (https://www.first.org/epss). Source: CISA KEV Catalog. Data as of 2024-11-21.