CVE-2025-8477 in iLX-507
Summary
by MITRE • 08/01/2025
Alpine iLX-507 vCard Parsing Stack-based Buffer Overflow Remote Code Execution Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows network-adjacent attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected Alpine iLX-507 devices. User interaction is required to exploit this vulnerability in that the target must connect to a malicious Bluetooth device.
The specific flaw exists within the parsing of vCard data. The issue results from the lack of proper validation of user-supplied data prior to copying it to a fixed-length stack-based buffer. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of root. Was ZDI-CAN-26324.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/05/2025
The CVE-2025-8477 vulnerability represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow in Alpine iLX-507 navigation devices that exposes a remote code execution vector through vCard data parsing. This vulnerability resides in the device's Bluetooth communication stack where it processes vCard files received from external sources. The flaw manifests when the system receives and parses vCard data containing maliciously crafted input that exceeds the allocated buffer size, leading to memory corruption that can be exploited by attackers. The vulnerability specifically affects the fixed-length stack buffer used during vCard processing, where insufficient input validation allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which is classified as a fundamental memory safety issue that enables arbitrary code execution.
The attack vector requires network adjacency and user interaction, making it a sophisticated target for social engineering campaigns. An attacker must first establish a Bluetooth connection to the target device and then present a malicious vCard file that triggers the buffer overflow condition. The exploitation process leverages the fact that the system does not validate the length of incoming vCard data before copying it to a predetermined stack buffer, typically with a fixed size of 512 bytes or similar. This validation failure allows attackers to overflow the buffer and overwrite the return address on the stack, redirecting execution flow to malicious code. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited to gain root-level privileges, making it a high-value target for attackers seeking persistent access to vehicle systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution to encompass complete system compromise and potential vehicle control manipulation. Once executed, the malicious code can access sensitive vehicle data, modify system configurations, or establish backdoor access for future exploitation. The vulnerability affects the device's Bluetooth stack and vCard processing functionality, which are critical components for user interaction and device connectivity. From an attacker perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 Command and Scripting Interpreter: VBA, as it allows for command execution within the device's operating environment. The vulnerability also maps to ATT&CK technique T1068 Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, as it provides a path to root-level execution. Security researchers have identified this as a ZDI-CAN-26324 vulnerability, indicating it has been catalogued by the Zero Day Initiative and represents a well-documented threat to automotive infotainment systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2025-8477 should include immediate firmware updates from Alpine to address the buffer overflow condition. Network administrators and vehicle security teams should implement Bluetooth access controls and disable unnecessary Bluetooth services when not in use. The recommended approach involves implementing proper input validation and bounds checking for all user-supplied data, particularly in vCard parsing functions. Organizations should also deploy network segmentation to limit access to vehicle systems and implement monitoring for unusual Bluetooth connection patterns. Additionally, the vulnerability highlights the need for robust security testing of automotive infotainment systems, including fuzzing and penetration testing of Bluetooth protocols. The fix should include implementing stack canaries or other memory protection mechanisms, enforcing proper buffer size limits, and ensuring that all user input undergoes rigorous validation before processing. Regular security assessments of vehicle communication protocols are essential to identify similar vulnerabilities in automotive systems and prevent exploitation of similar buffer overflow conditions in other components.