CVE-2025-2762 Overview
CVE-2025-2762 is a local privilege escalation vulnerability in the CarlinKit CPC200-CCPA wireless CarPlay adapter. The flaw stems from a missing hardware root of trust in the application system-on-chip (SoC) configuration [CWE-1326]. Attackers who can already run low-privileged code on the device can leverage the weakness to execute arbitrary code in the context of the boot process. The Zero Day Initiative tracked the issue as ZDI-CAN-25948 and published advisory ZDI-25-176.
Critical Impact
Attackers with local low-privileged access can bypass secure boot protections and execute arbitrary code during the boot sequence, achieving persistent control over the device.
Affected Products
- CarlinKit CPC200-CCPA hardware adapter
- CarlinKit Autokit application version 2024.01.19.1541
- Downstream vehicle head units integrating the affected CarlinKit adapter
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-04-23 - CVE-2025-2762 published to the National Vulnerability Database
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-2762
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability affects the boot integrity model of the CarlinKit CPC200-CCPA adapter. The SoC is not configured to enforce a properly established hardware root of trust. Without an anchored trust chain, the boot process cannot cryptographically verify that firmware and early-stage code originate from the vendor. An attacker with local, low-privileged code execution can substitute or modify boot components and gain arbitrary code execution during boot. Because execution occurs at the boot stage, the compromise persists across reboots and precedes any operating-system security controls. The attack requires local access but no user interaction, making physical or supply-chain access scenarios particularly relevant for automotive infotainment environments.
Root Cause
The root cause is the absence of a properly configured hardware root of trust on the application SoC [CWE-1326]. Secure boot depends on immutable keys or fuses that anchor signature verification of subsequent boot stages. When the trust anchor is missing or misconfigured, unsigned or attacker-supplied code executes with full boot-time privileges.
Attack Vector
An attacker first obtains the ability to execute low-privileged code on the adapter, for example through a companion application, wireless service, or exposed debug interface. The attacker then modifies boot components or supplies malicious firmware that the SoC loads without cryptographic verification. On the next boot cycle, the injected code runs with boot-process privileges, establishing persistent control below the operating system.
No proof-of-concept code is publicly available. See the Zero Day Initiative Advisory ZDI-25-176 for vendor-coordinated technical detail.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-2762
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected changes to firmware images, bootloader partitions, or SoC configuration blobs on the CPC200-CCPA adapter
- Adapter behavior anomalies such as unexplained reboots, new network connections, or services not present in vendor firmware
- Presence of unsigned or vendor-mismatched binaries in boot partitions
Detection Strategies
- Perform firmware integrity comparison against known-good vendor images using cryptographic hashes
- Inspect boot logs and serial console output for unexpected boot-stage messages or altered load addresses
- Monitor host systems that pair with the adapter for anomalous USB or wireless traffic originating from the device
Monitoring Recommendations
- Maintain an inventory of CarlinKit adapters and Autokit application versions deployed across vehicle fleets
- Log and review pairing events between mobile devices, head units, and CarlinKit adapters
- Track vendor advisories from CarlinKit and the Zero Day Initiative for firmware updates addressing ZDI-25-176
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-2762
Immediate Actions Required
- Restrict physical access to the CPC200-CCPA adapter and any USB or debug interfaces exposed to untrusted users
- Avoid installing untrusted companion applications or firmware updates on devices that interact with the adapter
- Isolate affected adapters from sensitive vehicle networks where possible until a vendor patch is available
Patch Information
No vendor patch is referenced in the enriched CVE data. Review the Zero Day Initiative Advisory ZDI-25-176 and monitor CarlinKit for firmware updates that establish a properly configured hardware root of trust on the CPC200-CCPA SoC.
Workarounds
- Disable or remove the CarlinKit adapter from vehicles where the risk of local code execution cannot be controlled
- Limit use of the Autokit application version 2024.01.19.1541 to trusted mobile devices under administrative control
- Verify firmware images against vendor-supplied hashes before flashing and refuse updates delivered through unofficial channels
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
