Executive brief
Apache NimBLE is an open-source Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) stack. A vulnerability in its Broadcast Audio Scan Service (BASS) could allow a nearby attacker to crash a device or potentially read sensitive memory. To exploit this, an attacker must be within Bluetooth range and successfully pair with the target device, which may or may not require user interaction depending on the device's security settings.
Technical details
An integer underflow and out-of-bounds write vulnerability exists in the Apache NimBLE BASS (Broadcast Audio Scan Service) implementation. The flaw is rooted in improper validation of Protocol Data Units (PDUs) during 'Add Source' and 'Modify Source' operations, specifically when parsing the number of subgroups. An attacker within Bluetooth range can trigger a stack-based buffer overflow or an arbitrary out-of-bounds read by sending a specially crafted PDU. While the attack requires a Bluetooth connection and prior pairing, the impact includes potential remote code execution or information disclosure. The issue is addressed in version 1.10.0.
Affected products
- Apache Software Foundation NimBLE through 1.9.0
Timeline
- 2026-05-15: patched: Fixes merged into master branch
- 2026-07-24: disclosed: CVE published