CVE-2024-58101 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting Samsung Galaxy Buds and Galaxy Buds 2 audio devices. These Bluetooth earbuds are designed to be pairable by default without requiring any user input or consent to enter pairing mode. This design flaw allows an attacker within Bluetooth range to connect to the earbuds without the owner's knowledge or interaction. Once connected, the attacker can take over audio playback, potentially injecting or altering audio streams. More critically, the attacker can activate the microphone on the earbuds to record audio surreptitiously, violating user privacy and confidentiality. The vulnerability arises from a lack of proper authentication and user notification mechanisms during the pairing process, classified under CWE-862 (Missing Authorization). The CVSS 3.1 base score is 8.1, reflecting high impact on confidentiality and integrity, with no user interaction or privileges required, and an attack vector over adjacent network (Bluetooth). Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the ease of exploitation and the sensitive nature of audio data make this a significant threat. The absence of patches or mitigations from the vendor at the time of publication further exacerbates the risk. This vulnerability highlights the risks of default Bluetooth pairing modes that do not enforce user consent or authentication, especially in personal audio devices that have microphones and speakers capable of capturing and transmitting sensitive information.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a substantial privacy and security risk, particularly in environments where sensitive conversations occur, such as corporate offices, government facilities, or healthcare institutions. Attackers could exploit this flaw to eavesdrop on confidential discussions, capture intellectual property, or manipulate audio communications. The integrity of audio playback could be compromised, potentially misleading users or disrupting communication workflows. Since many employees use personal or company-issued Samsung Galaxy Buds for calls and meetings, the risk extends to corporate espionage and data leakage. Additionally, the covert activation of microphones without user awareness undermines GDPR compliance related to data privacy and consent, exposing organizations to regulatory penalties. The vulnerability could also be leveraged in targeted attacks against high-profile individuals or executives using these devices. Although the attack requires physical proximity due to Bluetooth's limited range, the ubiquity of these earbuds in Europe increases the attack surface. The lack of vendor patches means organizations must rely on compensating controls to mitigate risk in the short term.

1. Immediate mitigation involves educating users to avoid using Samsung Galaxy Buds or Galaxy Buds 2 in sensitive environments until a vendor patch or firmware update is available. 2. Disable Bluetooth on devices when not in use or restrict Bluetooth usage in high-security areas. 3. Employ Bluetooth monitoring tools capable of detecting unauthorized pairing attempts or unusual device connections within corporate premises. 4. Implement physical security controls to limit attacker proximity, such as secure zones with restricted access and signal jamming where legally permissible. 5. Encourage users to use alternative audio devices with stronger authentication and pairing controls. 6. Monitor network and endpoint logs for anomalous Bluetooth activity. 7. Engage with Samsung or authorized resellers to obtain firmware updates or security advisories. 8. Incorporate this vulnerability into organizational risk assessments and incident response plans to prepare for potential exploitation scenarios.