CVE-2026-44634 Overview
CVE-2026-44634 is a set of stack-based buffer overflow vulnerabilities [CWE-121] in SimpleBLE, a cross-platform library and bindings for Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE). Versions prior to 0.14.0 contain three distinct flaws. The first affects the dongle backend's Protocol::simpleble_write function and requires local, caller-controlled input. The remaining two trigger when SimpleBLE processes manufacturer-specific data and service data in BLE advertisements. Both advertisement-related flaws are reachable remotely without pairing or an established connection. The maintainers patched all three issues in version 0.14.0.
Critical Impact
Remote attackers within Bluetooth range can corrupt stack memory by broadcasting crafted BLE advertisements, leading to denial of service and potential code execution without authentication or user interaction.
Affected Products
- SimpleBLE library versions prior to 0.14.0
- Applications embedding the SimpleBLE C/C++ library
- Language bindings and downstream projects depending on vulnerable SimpleBLE releases
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-06-10 - CVE-2026-44634 published to NVD
- 2026-06-10 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2026-44634
Vulnerability Analysis
SimpleBLE contains three stack-based buffer overflow conditions that share a common root cause: missing bounds validation when copying attacker-influenced input into fixed-size stack buffers. The dongle backend issue resides in Protocol::simpleble_write and processes caller-controlled data from local code paths. The other two flaws sit in the advertisement parsers that handle manufacturer-specific data fields and service data fields embedded in BLE advertisement packets.
BLE advertisement parsing runs before any pairing or connection negotiation. Any device within radio range can transmit advertisements, so the parser becomes a remote, unauthenticated attack surface. An attacker broadcasts a crafted advertisement whose manufacturer or service data length exceeds the destination stack buffer, overwriting saved return addresses and adjacent stack frames.
Root Cause
The vulnerabilities stem from copying variable-length BLE advertisement fields into fixed stack buffers without validating the source length against the destination capacity. CWE-121 classifies this pattern as a stack-based buffer overflow. The patch in version 0.14.0 adds the missing length checks. Reviewers can examine pull request 466 and commit 1501d59d76a4280268372afb1b157bf6caeacba6 for the exact code changes.
Attack Vector
For the advertisement parsing flaws, an attacker needs only Bluetooth radio proximity to a host running a vulnerable SimpleBLE consumer in scanning mode. The attacker transmits an advertisement with oversized manufacturer-specific or service data. No pairing, bonding, or prior trust is required. The Protocol::simpleble_write flaw requires local access to invoke the affected code path with controlled input. See the GitHub Security Advisory GHSA-8h89-q8m2-c8fp for technical details.
No public proof-of-concept exploit is currently documented for CVE-2026-44634.
Detection Methods for CVE-2026-44634
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected crashes or segmentation faults in processes that link against SimpleBLE during BLE scanning operations
- Repeated restarts of services or applications that perform BLE advertisement processing
- Anomalous BLE advertisement traffic containing oversized manufacturer-specific or service data fields
Detection Strategies
- Inventory all applications and packages that depend on SimpleBLE and confirm versions are at or above 0.14.0
- Use software composition analysis (SCA) tooling to flag vulnerable SimpleBLE versions in build manifests and container images
- Capture and inspect BLE advertisement payloads in sensitive environments to identify malformed length fields
Monitoring Recommendations
- Monitor crash telemetry and core dumps from BLE-enabled hosts and IoT gateways for repeated faults in SimpleBLE call stacks
- Alert on unexpected process termination patterns on devices that perform continuous BLE scanning
- Track Bluetooth radio activity in areas where untrusted devices may be in range of critical infrastructure
How to Mitigate CVE-2026-44634
Immediate Actions Required
- Upgrade SimpleBLE to version 0.14.0 or later across all affected applications and rebuild dependent binaries
- Identify embedded copies of SimpleBLE in third-party packages and coordinate updates with vendors
- Restrict BLE scanning on sensitive hosts to controlled environments until patched builds are deployed
Patch Information
The SimpleBLE maintainers released the fix in version 0.14.0. See the GitHub Release v0.14.0, the merged Pull Request 466, and the fix commit 1501d59 for full remediation details.
Workarounds
- Disable BLE scanning functionality in vulnerable applications until the upgrade to 0.14.0 is complete
- Operate BLE-enabled systems only in physically controlled areas to reduce exposure to crafted advertisements
- Apply host-level exploit mitigations such as stack canaries, ASLR, and non-executable stacks to raise the cost of successful exploitation
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
