CVE-2025-8472 Overview
CVE-2025-8472 is a stack-based buffer overflow [CWE-121] in the Alpine iLX-507 in-vehicle infotainment head unit. The flaw resides in the device's vCard parsing routine, which is invoked when the unit connects to a Bluetooth peer. A network-adjacent attacker who convinces a user to pair with a malicious Bluetooth device can execute arbitrary code as root.
The vulnerability was reported through the Zero Day Initiative program as ZDI-CAN-26316 and disclosed publicly as ZDI-25-761. It affects Alpine iLX-507 firmware version 6.0.000.
Critical Impact
Successful exploitation grants root-level code execution on the head unit over Bluetooth, giving attackers full control of the infotainment system after a single user pairing action.
Affected Products
- Alpine iLX-507 hardware (cpe:2.3:h:alpsalpine:ilx-507:-)
- Alpine iLX-507 firmware version 6.0.000
- Deployments that expose Bluetooth pairing to untrusted peers
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-08-01 - CVE-2025-8472 published to the National Vulnerability Database
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-8472
Vulnerability Analysis
The defect lives in the code path that parses vCard records received over Bluetooth. When the head unit synchronizes contact data with a paired device using the Phone Book Access Profile (PBAP) or similar profile, incoming vCard fields are copied into a fixed-size buffer on the stack. The parser does not validate the length of user-supplied data before performing the copy.
An attacker who controls the vCard payload can overflow the stack buffer, corrupt saved registers and return addresses, and redirect execution. Because the parsing service runs as root, successful exploitation yields full control of the underlying Linux-based infotainment system.
Exploitation is limited to attackers within Bluetooth radio range and requires the user to initiate or accept a pairing with the attacker's device. Once paired, no further interaction is needed for the malicious vCard to be processed.
Root Cause
The root cause is missing bounds checking on attacker-controlled vCard field lengths prior to a stack copy operation, a classic stack-based buffer overflow [CWE-121]. The vCard specification permits arbitrarily long property values, but the iLX-507 parser assumes fields will fit within its fixed stack buffer.
Attack Vector
The attacker stands up a rogue Bluetooth device that advertises phone book or contact-sharing services. When the victim pairs the head unit with this device, the unit requests vCard data. The rogue device responds with a crafted vCard containing an oversized field, triggering the overflow inside the parser process running as root. See the Zero Day Initiative Advisory ZDI-25-761 for additional technical context.
// No verified proof-of-concept code is public for CVE-2025-8472.
// Refer to ZDI-25-761 for the vendor-coordinated advisory.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-8472
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected Bluetooth pairing entries on the head unit that were not initiated by the vehicle owner
- Crashes, reboots, or service restarts of the infotainment unit shortly after a Bluetooth pairing event
- Anomalous outbound network activity from the head unit following contact synchronization
Detection Strategies
- Monitor Bluetooth pairing and PBAP session logs on the head unit for connections from unknown device addresses
- Inspect vCard transfer payloads for property values that exceed reasonable field length limits
- Correlate infotainment process crashes with recent Bluetooth pairing events to identify exploitation attempts
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable and retain diagnostic logs on the iLX-507 where supported, and export them for centralized review
- Track firmware version reporting across fleet deployments to identify units still running 6.0.000
- For commercial or fleet vehicles, capture Bluetooth adapter telemetry from adjacent gateways where available
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-8472
Immediate Actions Required
- Disable Bluetooth on the iLX-507 head unit when not actively in use
- Do not pair the head unit with unknown or untrusted Bluetooth devices
- Remove existing pairings that are no longer required and re-pair only trusted phones
- Consult Alpine and authorized dealers for firmware update availability beyond version 6.0.000
Patch Information
No vendor advisory URL is currently listed in the NVD entry for CVE-2025-8472. The public coordination record is the Zero Day Initiative Advisory ZDI-25-761. Owners and fleet operators should contact Alpine or an authorized service center to confirm the availability of firmware newer than 6.0.000 that remediates the vCard parser.
Workarounds
- Keep Bluetooth disabled in high-risk environments such as public parking areas or events
- Decline pairing requests initiated by devices you do not recognize
- Where possible, disable automatic contact and phone book synchronization (PBAP) on paired phones so the head unit does not import vCard data
# No configuration-level workaround is exposed to end users on the iLX-507.
# Mitigation is limited to disabling Bluetooth and restricting pairings via the head unit UI.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
