CVE-2025-32880 in PACE 3
Summary
by MITRE • 06/20/2025
An issue was discovered on COROS PACE 3 devices through 3.0808.0. It implements a function to connect the watch to a WLAN. With WLAN access, the COROS Pace 3 downloads firmware files via HTTP. However, the communication is not encrypted and allows sniffing and machine-in-the-middle attacks.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/25/2025
The COROS PACE 3 wearable device presents a significant security vulnerability through its firmware update mechanism that operates over unencrypted HTTP communications. This flaw affects all device versions up to and including 3.0808.0, creating a persistent risk for users who connect their devices to wireless networks for firmware updates. The device's implementation of WLAN connectivity for firmware downloads exposes the communication channel to various active attack vectors that can compromise the integrity and confidentiality of the update process.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the device's reliance on plaintext HTTP protocols for firmware distribution rather than secure encrypted channels such as HTTPS or TLS-protected communications. When users connect their COROS PACE 3 devices to WLAN networks, the firmware update process automatically initiates HTTP requests to download update files from remote servers. This design choice violates fundamental security principles for over-the-air firmware updates and creates multiple attack surfaces for malicious actors who can intercept and manipulate the communication stream.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception, as it enables sophisticated man-in-the-middle attacks that can result in complete device compromise. An attacker positioned within the wireless network can intercept the firmware download process and replace legitimate update files with malicious payloads, potentially leading to device takeover, data exfiltration, or denial of service conditions. This risk is particularly concerning given that the device operates in environments where users may connect to public or unsecured wireless networks, expanding the attack surface significantly. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-319, which addresses the exposure of sensitive information through improper use of network protocols, and represents a clear violation of secure communication standards.
This security weakness creates opportunities for adversaries to leverage techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1566 tactic for initial access through phishing and T1071 for application layer protocol usage. The device's failure to implement proper certificate validation or secure communication channels means that attackers can easily impersonate legitimate firmware servers and deliver malicious updates that could compromise device functionality or user data. The lack of integrity verification mechanisms during the firmware update process further compounds the risk, as there are no cryptographic checks to ensure that downloaded files have not been tampered with during transit, making the device particularly susceptible to supply chain attacks and targeted compromises.
Organizations and individual users should immediately implement network monitoring solutions to detect anomalous traffic patterns during firmware update processes, while device manufacturers should prioritize the implementation of secure update mechanisms using HTTPS with proper certificate validation. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure communication protocols in embedded devices and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing throughout the device lifecycle. Immediate mitigation strategies should include network segmentation to prevent unauthorized access to update servers and the implementation of network access control measures that can detect and prevent the use of unencrypted communication channels for critical device functions.