CVE-2020-36602 is a vulnerability identified in multiple headset products denoted by model identifiers such as 576up005 HOTA-CM-H-Shark-BD and related variants. The vulnerability involves an out-of-bounds read and write condition, which occurs due to insufficient validation of incoming messages containing specific crafted parameters. An unauthenticated attacker with physical access to the device can exploit this flaw by sending a malformed message to the affected headset. This malformed message triggers the out-of-bounds memory access, potentially allowing the attacker to read or write memory locations outside the intended buffer boundaries. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-125 (Out-of-bounds Read) and CWE-787 (Out-of-bounds Write), indicating that both reading and writing beyond allocated memory are possible. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 6.1 (medium severity), with vector AV:P/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N, meaning the attack requires physical access (AV:P), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges or user interaction, and impacts confidentiality and integrity with high severity but does not affect availability. The affected versions span a wide range of firmware releases, indicating that many deployed devices may be vulnerable. No known exploits in the wild have been reported, and no official patches or mitigation links are provided in the source data. The vulnerability’s exploitation could lead to unauthorized disclosure or modification of sensitive data within the device memory, potentially compromising device integrity and confidentiality.

For European organizations using these specific headset products, the impact of CVE-2020-36602 could be significant, especially in environments where these devices handle sensitive communications or are integrated into secure workflows. The out-of-bounds read/write vulnerability could allow attackers with physical access to extract confidential information or alter device behavior, undermining trust in communication security. This is particularly critical in sectors such as government, defense, finance, and critical infrastructure, where headset devices may be used for secure voice communications. Although the attack requires physical access, the low complexity and no requirement for authentication or user interaction increase the risk in scenarios where devices are deployed in shared or less controlled environments. The compromise of headset integrity could also facilitate further attacks on connected systems if the headset firmware interfaces with other networked components. The absence of known exploits suggests limited active threat currently, but the vulnerability remains a latent risk that could be exploited if devices are lost, stolen, or accessed by malicious insiders.

Given the lack of official patches, European organizations should implement strict physical security controls to prevent unauthorized access to affected headset devices. This includes secure storage, inventory management, and access logging. Network segmentation and limiting the use of vulnerable headset models in sensitive environments can reduce exposure. Organizations should monitor for firmware updates or advisories from vendors and apply patches promptly once available. Additionally, conducting regular device audits to identify and replace vulnerable firmware versions is recommended. Where possible, disable or restrict message interfaces that accept external inputs to the headset firmware to prevent injection of malformed messages. Employ endpoint detection mechanisms to identify anomalous device behavior that could indicate exploitation attempts. Training staff on the risks of physical device compromise and enforcing policies for device handling can further mitigate risk. Finally, consider alternative headset products with verified security postures if mitigation is not feasible.