CVE-2025-32901 in Connect
Summary
by MITRE • 12/05/2025
In KDE Connect before 1.33.0 on Android, malicious device IDs (sent via broadcast UDP) could cause an application crash.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/05/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-32901 affects KDE Connect versions prior to 1.33.0 on Android platforms, representing a significant security flaw that could be exploited to disrupt the normal operation of the application. This issue stems from the application's insufficient validation of device identifiers received through broadcast UDP communications, creating an avenue for malicious actors to manipulate the system's behavior. The vulnerability specifically targets the input handling mechanisms within the Android implementation of KDE Connect, where device IDs are transmitted through the User Datagram Protocol without proper sanitization or verification processes.
The technical flaw manifests when the application receives maliciously crafted device IDs via UDP broadcast messages, which can cause the application to crash or terminate unexpectedly. This represents a classic buffer overflow or input validation vulnerability that falls under the CWE-129 category of Improper Validation of Array Index, though more specifically aligns with CWE-20 Improper Input Validation. The vulnerability occurs because the application fails to properly validate the length, format, or content of device IDs received through network communication channels, allowing attackers to send malformed data that triggers memory corruption or invalid memory access patterns. The UDP broadcast mechanism provides an accessible attack surface where adversaries can send crafted packets to the application's listening port without requiring authentication or prior connection establishment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple application instability, as it can be leveraged to create denial of service conditions that prevent legitimate users from utilizing KDE Connect functionality. When the application crashes due to malicious device IDs, users experience interruptions in their device synchronization capabilities, which may include file transfers, notifications, or other integrated features that depend on the KDE Connect service. The vulnerability affects the availability aspect of the security triad, as it can be exploited to deny service to legitimate users who rely on the application for cross-device communication. This type of attack aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 Disruption of Service, where adversaries target application availability through manipulation of network protocols. The impact is particularly concerning in environments where KDE Connect is used for critical device management or synchronization tasks, as the service disruption could cascade into broader operational issues.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include upgrading to KDE Connect version 1.33.0 or later, which implements proper input validation for device IDs received via UDP broadcasts. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation to limit access to the UDP ports used by KDE Connect, thereby reducing the attack surface available to potential adversaries. The application should be configured to validate the length and format of incoming device identifiers, with proper bounds checking to prevent buffer overflows or memory corruption. Additionally, network monitoring should be implemented to detect unusual patterns of UDP broadcast traffic that may indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should also review and update their incident response procedures to account for potential service disruption events caused by this vulnerability. The fix addresses the root cause by implementing proper input sanitization and validation mechanisms that align with industry best practices for secure network programming and prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in future versions of the application.