CVE-2020-26557
kernel: predictable Authvalue in Bluetooth Mesh Provisioning Leads to MITM
Severity
ModerateRed Hat Product Security
CVSS 3.1
Review impact separately from score.
Published · May 25, 2021
Updated · June 28, 2026
Description
A flaw was found in the Linux kernel’s Bluetooth Mesh Profile implementation. The Mesh Provisioning procedure has a vulnerability that allows an attacker observing or taking part in the provisioning to brute force the AuthValue if it has a fixed value or is selected predictably or with low entropy. If successful, an attacker can identify the AuthValue and authenticate to both the Provisioner and provisioned devices, allowing a Man-in-the-Middle (MITM) attack on a future provisioning attempt with the same AuthValue. The highest threat from this vulnerability is to confidentiality, integrity, as well as system availability.
Statement
Red Hat Product Security is aware of this issue and is currently assessing the impact on Red Hat supported products. Corresponding entry in the Red Hat CVE database (https://access.redhat.com/security/security-updates/#/cve) will be updated with latest information as the assessment progresses.
CVSS score applicability
The CVSS score(s) listed for this vulnerability do not reflect the associated product's status, and are included for informational purposes to better understand the severity of this vulnerability.
Mitigation
It is recommended for devices to use AuthValues containing the maximum entropy permitted (128-bits) and randomly select a new AuthValue using a secure random number generator with each new provisioning attempt. A large entropy helps ensure that a brute-force of the AuthValue, even a static AuthValue, cannot normally be completed in a reasonable time.
CVSS / CWE
CVSS 3.1 · 7.5CVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
CWE not specified