CVE-2025-5478 in XAV-AX8500
Summary
by MITRE • 06/21/2025
Sony XAV-AX8500 Bluetooth SDP Protocol Integer Overflow Remote Code Execution Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows network-adjacent attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected installations of Sony XAV-AX8500 devices. Authentication is not required to exploit this vulnerability.
The specific flaw exists within the implementation of the Bluetooth SDP protocol. The issue results from the lack of proper validation of user-supplied data, which can result in an integer overflow before allocating a buffer. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of root. Was ZDI-CAN-26288.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/08/2025
The CVE-2025-5478 vulnerability represents a critical remote code execution flaw in Sony XAV-AX8500 automotive infotainment systems that operates through the Bluetooth Service Discovery Protocol. This vulnerability resides in the Bluetooth stack implementation where insufficient input validation leads to integer overflow conditions during buffer allocation processes. The flaw specifically manifests when the system processes malformed Bluetooth SDP packets, creating a scenario where attacker-controlled data can manipulate memory allocation parameters beyond acceptable limits. The vulnerability's severity is amplified by its network-adjacent attack vector, meaning that exploitation can occur without requiring authentication or physical access to the device, making it particularly dangerous in automotive environments where such systems are increasingly connected to broader networks.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a well-established pattern of integer overflow attacks that fall under CWE-190, which describes integer overflow and wraparound conditions. When the Bluetooth SDP protocol handler processes user-supplied data, it fails to properly validate the size parameters before performing arithmetic operations that could result in integer overflow. This overflow condition directly affects buffer allocation logic, where the system attempts to allocate memory based on corrupted size values derived from attacker-controlled input. The resulting memory corruption creates opportunities for attackers to manipulate program execution flow, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution with root privileges. This represents a classic buffer overflow scenario where the integer overflow corrupts memory structures that control program execution, allowing attackers to redirect code execution to malicious payloads.
The operational impact of CVE-2025-5478 extends beyond simple remote code execution to encompass potential vehicle system compromise and broader automotive cybersecurity risks. Since the affected Sony XAV-AX8500 devices are automotive infotainment systems, successful exploitation could provide attackers with complete control over vehicle entertainment and connectivity features, potentially serving as a foothold for more extensive vehicle system compromise. The vulnerability's lack of authentication requirements means that attackers can exploit this flaw from network-adjacent locations, including public Wi-Fi networks near vehicles or through compromised connected devices. This attack surface is particularly concerning given the increasing integration of automotive systems with IoT networks and the potential for cascading attacks that could affect vehicle safety systems or personal data stored within these infotainment units.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate defensive measures and long-term system hardening approaches. Organizations should implement network segmentation to isolate automotive infotainment systems from general network access, particularly disabling unnecessary Bluetooth services when not actively required. The implementation of network monitoring solutions capable of detecting anomalous Bluetooth SDP traffic patterns can help identify potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, firmware updates from Sony should be prioritized to address the integer overflow conditions in the Bluetooth SDP protocol implementation, with particular attention to proper input validation and boundary checking mechanisms. Security controls should also include disabling Bluetooth services entirely when vehicles are stationary or when not in use, following the principle of least privilege. This vulnerability's characteristics align with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as exploitation would likely involve executing malicious code through compromised system processes, making comprehensive endpoint protection and behavioral monitoring essential components of any defense strategy.