CVE-2026-118604 in iLX-F511
Summary
by MITRE • 10/28/2026
Alpine iLX-F511 Framework Service Stack-based Buffer Overflow Remote Code Execution Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows physically present attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected installations of Alpine iLX-F511 devices. Authentication is not required to exploit this vulnerability.
The specific flaw exists within the framework service. The issue results from the lack of proper validation of the length 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-29007.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/28/2026
The Alpine iLX-F511 Framework Service contains a critical security flaw classified as CWE-121, specifically a stack-based buffer overflow. This vulnerability arises from an improper validation mechanism where the service fails to verify the length of user-supplied data before copying it into a fixed-size memory buffer allocated on the call stack. In standard software engineering practices, input sanitization is paramount; however, in this instance, the application accepts external inputs without ensuring they fit within the predetermined boundaries of the destination buffer. When an attacker provides a payload that exceeds the buffer's capacity, the excess data overwrites adjacent memory locations on the stack. This overwrite can corrupt critical control flow data such as return addresses or function pointers, allowing for arbitrary code execution by redirecting program execution to malicious shellcode injected into the overflowed region.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe due to its remote and unauthenticated nature relative to physical access constraints. Although exploitation requires a physically present attacker with network connectivity to the device, no authentication credentials are necessary to trigger the exploit. This significantly lowers the barrier for entry compared to vulnerabilities requiring valid user sessions or privileged accounts. Once exploited, an attacker can execute arbitrary code within the context of the root user account. Gaining root-level access on embedded systems like automotive infotainment units provides complete control over the operating system and underlying hardware interfaces. This level of compromise enables malicious actors to install persistent backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive data such as navigation history or paired device information, modify firmware configurations, or potentially use the compromised unit as a pivot point for further attacks against other connected vehicle networks via CAN bus or telematics modules.
From an industry standards perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-120: Buffer Copy without Checking Size of Input and is often associated with ATT&CK technique T1059, Command and Scripting Interpreter, as the ultimate goal is to run arbitrary commands on the target system. The lack of input validation represents a fundamental failure in secure coding principles that should have been caught during static analysis or fuzz testing phases of development. Mitigation strategies must focus primarily on patch management provided by Alpine Electronics to update the framework service with proper bounds checking implemented for all incoming data streams. In the interim, organizations relying on these devices should implement network segmentation policies to restrict access to the infotainment system from untrusted networks and disable unnecessary services or ports that expose this specific endpoint. Physical security controls are also essential since exploitation requires physical proximity, highlighting the importance of securing vehicle interiors against unauthorized hardware attachment or direct port access by malicious actors.