CVE-2022-20521 is a medium-severity vulnerability affecting Android 13, specifically within the Bluetooth subsystem. The flaw exists in the function sdpu_find_most_specific_service_uuid located in the sdp_utils.cc source file. The vulnerability arises due to a missing null pointer check, which can cause the Bluetooth service to crash when processing certain malformed Bluetooth Service Discovery Protocol (SDP) data. This crash leads to a local denial of service (DoS) condition, disrupting Bluetooth functionality on the affected device. Exploitation requires local access to the device and user interaction, such as pairing or connecting to a malicious Bluetooth device or service that triggers the flaw. No additional privileges or elevated execution rights are necessary to exploit this issue. The vulnerability does not impact confidentiality or integrity but affects availability by causing Bluetooth service interruptions. There are no known exploits in the wild, and no patches have been explicitly linked in the provided data, though it is likely addressed in Android security updates given the CVE assignment and CISA enrichment. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 5.0, reflecting the medium severity with attack vector as local, low complexity, low privileges required, and user interaction needed. The CWE-476 classification indicates a NULL pointer dereference leading to resource unavailability.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2022-20521 is the disruption of Bluetooth services on Android 13 devices. This can affect business operations relying on Bluetooth peripherals such as wireless headsets, keyboards, barcode scanners, or IoT devices. In sectors like manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, and retail, where Bluetooth-enabled devices are integral to workflows, this could lead to productivity losses and operational delays. Although the vulnerability does not allow data theft or device takeover, repeated or targeted exploitation could degrade user experience and trust in mobile device reliability. Additionally, organizations with Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies might face increased support costs due to Bluetooth connectivity issues. Since exploitation requires user interaction, social engineering or malicious Bluetooth devices could be used in targeted attacks within corporate environments. However, the lack of remote exploitation capability limits the threat scope primarily to local or physically proximate attackers.

To mitigate CVE-2022-20521, European organizations should ensure all Android 13 devices are updated with the latest security patches from device manufacturers or Google, as these updates typically address Bluetooth subsystem vulnerabilities. Network administrators should enforce policies restricting Bluetooth usage in sensitive areas or disable Bluetooth on devices where it is not required. Implement device management solutions to monitor and control Bluetooth connections, including whitelisting trusted devices and blocking unknown or suspicious pairing attempts. User awareness training should emphasize caution when connecting to unfamiliar Bluetooth devices, highlighting the risk of denial-of-service conditions and potential social engineering. For critical environments, consider deploying Bluetooth intrusion detection systems or anomaly detection tools that can identify unusual Bluetooth activity. Additionally, encourage users to reboot devices if Bluetooth instability is observed, as this may temporarily restore functionality until patches are applied. Finally, collaborate with mobile device vendors to confirm patch availability and deployment timelines.