CVE-2025-48705 in COROS
Summary
by MITRE • 06/20/2025
An issue was discovered in COROS PACE 3 through 3.0808.0. Due to a NULL pointer dereference vulnerability, sending a crafted BLE message forces the device to reboot.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/08/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-48705 represents a critical NULL pointer dereference flaw within COROS PACE 3 fitness tracking devices running firmware versions through 3.0808.0. This issue manifests when the device receives a specially crafted Bluetooth Low Energy message that triggers an improper handling of null references during message processing. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and error handling mechanisms within the device's Bluetooth communication stack, which fails to properly validate incoming data structures before attempting to dereference pointers. The affected device architecture processes incoming BLE packets without sufficient safeguards against malformed or unexpected data sequences, creating a condition where a null pointer reference can occur during normal operation.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the transmission of maliciously formatted BLE advertisements or data packets that specifically target memory access patterns within the device's firmware. When the device attempts to process these crafted messages, it encounters a null pointer reference that causes the system to crash and subsequently reboot. This reboot behavior represents a denial of service condition that can be triggered remotely without requiring physical access or authentication credentials. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-476 as a NULL pointer dereference, which represents a fundamental programming error where code attempts to access memory through a null reference. The issue demonstrates poor defensive programming practices and highlights the absence of proper error recovery mechanisms in embedded systems that handle wireless communications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple device disruption, as it can potentially be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks within the context of a broader security landscape. While the immediate effect is limited to device rebooting, this vulnerability creates opportunities for attackers to perform persistent denial of service attacks against fitness tracking devices in public or shared environments. The affected COROS PACE 3 devices may be particularly vulnerable in scenarios where they are used in fitness centers, outdoor training environments, or other locations where unauthorized individuals might attempt to disrupt device functionality. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to the T1499.004 technique for network denial of service, and could potentially enable further exploitation pathways if combined with other vulnerabilities or attack vectors. The device's reboot behavior can also interfere with continuous tracking of fitness data, potentially compromising user workout monitoring and health data integrity.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on firmware updates from COROS to address the underlying NULL pointer dereference issue through proper input validation and defensive programming practices. Organizations and users should implement immediate monitoring of BLE traffic in environments where these devices are deployed to detect anomalous packet patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of these devices to untrusted BLE networks, while also considering the deployment of BLE packet filtering solutions that can identify and block malformed advertisements. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices in embedded systems and emphasizes the need for comprehensive security testing of wireless communication protocols. Device manufacturers should adopt more rigorous code review processes that include automated static analysis tools to identify potential null pointer dereference conditions, and implement proper error handling mechanisms that prevent system crashes from occurring during normal operation. Regular security assessments and vulnerability management procedures should be established to ensure timely identification and remediation of similar issues in connected fitness devices and other IoT implementations.