Bluesnarfing: how can a bluetooth connection become a security breach?
The growth of Bluetooth-enabled devices has transformed our relationship with technology, driving the use of wireless headsets, smartwatches and home appliances connected through home automation, which is the automation of devices in a home or building. This trend has prompted cybercriminals to develop new attack techniques to breach wireless connections and obtain sensitive information, such as passwords or financial data.
In this context, the Bank of Spain has warned about the increase in ‘bluesnarfing’, a technique that exploits vulnerabilities in the Bluetooth connection to infiltrate devices without the user identifying the theft of information. This increasingly common practice underlines the need for increased awareness and vigilance of different electronic devices in an increasingly interconnected ecosystem.
Wireless as a stealthy cyber-attack vector
According to the latest 'Threat Landscape Report ’ from S21Sec, Europe's leading cyber security company and part of the Thales Group, attacks exploiting zero-day vulnerabilities have increased in recent months. These security holes, unknown to both users and manufacturers, are exploited by attackers to exploit flaws before they can be detected and fixed. Increasing digital interaction between devices has allowed cybercriminals to exploit vulnerabilities in Bluetooth connections within fifteen meters of each other.
This short-range transmission threat is characterized by its unobtrusiveness in that it requires no user interaction, so attackers need only search to identify poorly protected devices and access them undetected. Under normal conditions, a transfer between two devices requires authorising the connection with a key in a process known as pairing. However, cybercriminals circumvent this step by using software specifically designed to bypass this authentication. Once they have gained access to the victim's device, cybercriminals copy the stored data in a matter of seconds to impersonate the victim's identity or make online purchases, among other fraudulent actions.
It is important to note that, for this type of threat to materialize, the user must have the Bluetooth connection activated on their device. In addition, the most recent models and those with updated operating systems tend to be less vulnerable to these attacks.
How can we protect our devices against bluesnarfing?
Countering this threat requires the implementation of basic cyber hygiene measures to protect mobile devices with a Bluetooth connection. One of the main recommendations is to disable the connection when not in use. It is also advisable to keep the device in stealth mode to make it more difficult for third parties to detect it, as well as making sure you always have the latest security updates, which allows you to correct possible vulnerabilities in the operating system.
It is advisable to frequently review the access permissions of each device and limit connections to those applications that are essential and to reinforce the level of protection. For greater security, it is also essential to manage credentials correctly, protecting access to online accounts by using strong and unique passwords for each account, avoiding sharing them with other users and regularly updating them. Finally, if you receive an unexpected connection request or from an unknown device, it is essential to reject it immediately to avoid potential information leaks.
Therefore, it is necessary to invest in monitoring capabilities, where solutions are implemented to counteract this type of threat. All of this must be complemented with the promotion of a strengthened cybersecurity environment from which users are made aware of cyber dangers, providing them with tools from an early age to protect their devices against social engineering techniques or the exploitation of vulnerabilities carried out by cybercriminal organisations, among other protection tools.
