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TI-2021-04466 Aliases CVE-2021-21367

Incorrect Authorization in switchboard-plug-bluetooth

Priority LOW 36CWE-863Published · Updated

Key facts

Attack vector
Adjacent network
Privileges required
None
User interaction
None
Attack complexity
Low
Impact type
Security bypass
Confidentiality · integrity · availability
High · High · None
Fix status
Fixed

Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · NVD. Fix status from CNA. Impact type from CWE-863.

Summary

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).

Why it matters now

EPSS 0.00637 50th percentileScored 2026-11-07
Fix Fixed switchboard-plug-bluetooth (elementary): 2.3.5

SSVC decision points

Not available: CISA has not published SSVC decision points for this record.

Affected products

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed inStatusSource
elementaryswitchboard-plug-bluetooth2.3.0 to before 2.3.52.3.5Patch availableCNA
  • switchboard-plug-bluetooth Vendorelementary Affected 2.3.0 to before 2.3.5 Fixed in 2.3.5 Patch available CNA

CPE configurations NVD · 3

CPEVersionsRoleVendor
cpe:2.3:a:elementary:switchboard_bluetooth_plug:*:*:*:*:*:elementary_os:*:*2.3.0 to before 2.3.5Vulnerableelementary
cpe:2.3:o:fedoraproject:fedora:32:*:*:*:*:*:*:*32VulnerableFedoraproject
cpe:2.3:o:fedoraproject:fedora:33:*:*:*:*:*:*:*33VulnerableFedoraproject
  • cpe:2.3:a:elementary:switchboard_bluetooth_plug:*:*:*:*:*:elementary_os:*:* Versions 2.3.0 to before 2.3.5 Vulnerable ·elementary
  • cpe:2.3:o:fedoraproject:fedora:32:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 32 Vulnerable ·Fedoraproject
  • cpe:2.3:o:fedoraproject:fedora:33:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 33 Vulnerable ·Fedoraproject

Remediation

  • Fix · CNA switchboard-plug-bluetooth (elementary) Fixed in 2.3.5

Timeline

  1. 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2021-21367
  2. 2026-10-25 EPSS moved to the 50th–90th percentile

References

Sources

This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences