CVE-2025-30422 in CarPlay Communication Plug-in
Summary
by MITRE • 05/01/2025
A buffer overflow was addressed with improved input validation. This issue is fixed in AirPlay audio SDK 2.7.1, AirPlay video SDK 3.6.0.126, CarPlay Communication Plug-in R18.1. An attacker on the local network may cause an unexpected app termination.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/01/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-30422 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within Apple's AirPlay ecosystem that affects multiple software components including the AirPlay audio SDK version 2.7.1, AirPlay video SDK version 3.6.0.126, and the CarPlay Communication Plug-in R18.1. This security issue stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize or limit the size of data received by the affected systems. The buffer overflow occurs when maliciously crafted input data exceeds the allocated memory buffer space, potentially leading to memory corruption and system instability. The vulnerability specifically impacts devices that utilize AirPlay functionality for audio and video streaming, as well as automotive systems that integrate with Apple CarPlay. The flaw allows an attacker positioned on the same local network to exploit this weakness and cause unexpected application termination, which could disrupt user experience and potentially serve as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks. From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a classic example of improper input validation that can lead to arbitrary code execution or system compromise. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that the exploit requires only local network access, making it accessible to attackers within the same physical or virtual network segment.
The technical exploitation of this buffer overflow vulnerability demonstrates how insufficient bounds checking in input handling can create serious security risks within multimedia streaming platforms. When the affected AirPlay SDK components process incoming audio or video data streams, they fail to validate the size and content of the received data against predetermined limits, allowing an attacker to craft malicious payloads that exceed buffer boundaries. The implementation of these SDKs appears to lack proper memory management protocols that would detect and reject oversized data inputs before they can cause buffer overflow conditions. This weakness directly enables a denial of service scenario where legitimate applications crash or terminate unexpectedly, but the implications extend beyond simple disruption. The vulnerability creates potential for more advanced exploitation techniques such as code injection or privilege escalation, particularly when considering that AirPlay functionality often operates with elevated privileges due to its role in system-level multimedia processing. The specific nature of this flaw suggests that it may be exploitable through crafted network packets or malformed media streams that could be transmitted through the local network infrastructure.
The operational impact of CVE-2025-30422 extends beyond immediate service disruption to potentially compromise the security posture of connected devices within local network environments. For automotive systems utilizing CarPlay Communication Plug-in R18.1, this vulnerability could affect vehicle entertainment and communication systems, creating potential safety concerns if the system crashes during critical operations. The local network requirement for exploitation limits the scope to insiders or attackers with network access, but this constraint does not diminish the severity of the vulnerability, as local network access is often readily available in enterprise and residential environments. Organizations using affected AirPlay SDK versions face significant risk of service interruptions, particularly in environments where continuous multimedia streaming is critical for operations. The vulnerability also raises concerns about potential escalation paths, as buffer overflow conditions are frequently exploited as initial access vectors for more comprehensive attacks within networked environments. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1203, which covers the exploitation of system vulnerabilities for privilege escalation, and T1499, covering the disruption of services through system resource exhaustion or application crashes.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2025-30422 should prioritize immediate deployment of the vendor-provided patches and updates for all affected software components including AirPlay audio SDK 2.7.1, AirPlay video SDK 3.6.0.126, and CarPlay Communication Plug-in R18.1. Organizations should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit local network access to only authorized personnel and devices, reducing the attack surface for potential exploitation. Network monitoring solutions should be configured to detect anomalous traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts targeting this vulnerability. Additionally, implementing robust input validation measures at network boundaries and application layers can provide defense-in-depth protection against similar vulnerabilities. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all systems running affected software versions and establish a remediation timeline that accounts for testing and deployment considerations. Regular security audits of multimedia streaming systems and automotive integration platforms are essential to maintain ongoing protection against similar buffer overflow vulnerabilities. The implementation of automated patch management systems can help ensure timely deployment of security updates while maintaining system stability and operational continuity. Organizations should also consider the broader implications of this vulnerability on their overall security architecture and potentially implement additional monitoring and detection capabilities to identify potential exploitation attempts in real-time.