CVE-2025-41657 Overview
CVE-2025-41657 describes an undocumented active Bluetooth stack present on affected products shipped between January 1, 2024 and May 9, 2025. The residual radio interface exposes device information that an unauthenticated attacker within radio range can collect. The issue is categorized under [CWE-207] (Observable Behavioral Discrepancy) and enables fingerprinting of the target device without authentication or user interaction. The vulnerability was published to the National Vulnerability Database (NVD) on June 10, 2025 and coordinated through a CERT@VDE advisory.
Critical Impact
An adjacent, unauthenticated attacker can fingerprint affected devices over Bluetooth, exposing information that supports targeted follow-on attacks.
Affected Products
- Products delivered between 01.01.2024 and 09.05.2025 as described in CERT@VDE advisory VDE-2025-047
- Specific vendor and product identifiers are not enumerated in the NVD entry
- Refer to the CERTVDE Advisory VDE-2025-047 for the authoritative affected-product list
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-06-10 - CVE-2025-41657 published to NVD
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-41657
Vulnerability Analysis
The affected devices ship with an active Bluetooth stack that is not documented in product materials. Because the interface is undocumented, operators are unlikely to disable it or monitor it during deployment. The stack responds to standard Bluetooth discovery and enumeration procedures, allowing an attacker within radio range to observe distinguishing characteristics of the device. The weakness maps to [CWE-207], where behavioral responses reveal identifying information about the target.
Fingerprinting through this channel supports reconnaissance rather than direct code execution or data modification. Attackers can correlate device models, firmware traits, or deployment locations without touching the primary network. This information can then feed targeted attacks against other exposed interfaces, supply-chain tracking, or physical operations against industrial equipment.
Root Cause
The root cause is an active Bluetooth radio subsystem left enabled and undocumented in production firmware shipped during the affected delivery window. Because the interface was not disclosed to integrators, defenders had no basis to include it in threat models, hardening guides, or wireless surveys.
Attack Vector
Exploitation requires the attacker to be within Bluetooth range of the target, consistent with an Adjacent Network attack vector. No credentials, prior access, or user interaction are required. The attacker uses standard Bluetooth scanning tools to enumerate the device and capture identifying metadata such as address, class of device, service records, and vendor-specific responses.
No verified public exploit code is available. The vulnerability mechanism is described in the CERTVDE Advisory VDE-2025-047.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-41657
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected Bluetooth advertisements or inquiry responses originating from industrial or embedded devices that are not documented to support Bluetooth
- Bluetooth scan results showing device names, MAC address prefixes, or service UUIDs tied to affected shipments
- Presence of nearby unknown Bluetooth scanners in operational technology or restricted physical areas
Detection Strategies
- Perform periodic wireless surveys with Bluetooth Classic and Bluetooth Low Energy scanners to inventory active radios in the environment
- Compare discovered radio interfaces against the documented hardware bill of materials for each asset
- Cross-reference vendor OUI and service records against the affected product list in advisory VDE-2025-047
Monitoring Recommendations
- Deploy Bluetooth-aware wireless intrusion detection sensors in facilities that house affected devices
- Log physical access events in areas containing the affected products to correlate with radio activity
- Alert on repeated inquiry or scan patterns targeting device clusters that share the affected delivery window
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-41657
Immediate Actions Required
- Identify assets received between 01.01.2024 and 09.05.2025 that fall within the scope of advisory VDE-2025-047
- Contact the vendor referenced in the CERT@VDE advisory to obtain firmware or configuration guidance that disables the Bluetooth stack
- Restrict physical proximity to affected devices until remediation is applied
Patch Information
Remediation guidance is coordinated through CERT@VDE. Consult the CERTVDE Advisory VDE-2025-047 for vendor-supplied firmware updates, configuration changes, or replacement instructions specific to the affected delivery window.
Workarounds
- Enforce physical access controls that keep untrusted personnel outside Bluetooth range of the affected devices
- Where the vendor provides a mechanism, disable the Bluetooth radio in firmware or via configuration
- Shield or enclose devices in RF-attenuating cabinets when disabling the radio is not feasible
- Monitor the surrounding radio environment for unauthorized Bluetooth scanning activity
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
