CVE-2025-1049 is a heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability identified in the Sonos Era 300 smart speaker, specifically affecting version 81.1-58074. The flaw resides in the processing of ID3 metadata, which is commonly used for tagging audio files. The vulnerability arises due to improper validation of the length of user-supplied ID3 data before copying it into a heap-allocated buffer. This lack of bounds checking enables an attacker to overflow the buffer, potentially overwriting adjacent memory. Exploiting this vulnerability allows remote code execution (RCE) in the context of the 'anacapa' user on the device. Notably, the exploit can be triggered by a network-adjacent attacker without requiring any authentication or user interaction, increasing the attack surface significantly. The vulnerability was assigned CWE-122, indicating a classic heap-based buffer overflow, and was tracked under ZDI-CAN-25601 before public disclosure. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the technical details suggest that an attacker could craft malicious ID3 data packets to trigger the overflow remotely, gaining control over the device's execution flow. Given the device's role as a network-connected smart speaker, this vulnerability could be leveraged as a pivot point within a local network or potentially as part of a broader attack chain targeting smart home environments. The absence of an official patch link at the time of disclosure indicates that mitigation efforts must rely on network-level controls and vendor updates once available.

For European organizations, the impact of this vulnerability can be significant, particularly for enterprises and public institutions that deploy Sonos Era 300 devices in office environments, conference rooms, or public spaces. Successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized code execution on these devices, potentially allowing attackers to intercept or manipulate audio streams, conduct reconnaissance, or use the compromised speaker as a foothold to move laterally within corporate networks. This could result in breaches of confidentiality, integrity, and availability of sensitive information and systems. Moreover, since the exploit requires no authentication and no user interaction, it lowers the barrier for attackers, increasing the risk of automated or opportunistic attacks. The vulnerability could also affect consumer environments, where compromised devices might be used to eavesdrop or disrupt smart home operations. Given the growing adoption of IoT and smart devices in European workplaces and homes, the threat extends beyond individual devices to the broader network security posture. The medium severity rating reflects the potential for impactful exploitation balanced against the current lack of known active exploits and the limited scope of affected product versions.

1. Immediate network segmentation: Isolate Sonos Era 300 devices on dedicated VLANs or subnets to limit exposure to network-adjacent attackers and restrict lateral movement. 2. Implement strict ingress filtering and firewall rules to block unsolicited traffic to the devices, especially from untrusted or external networks. 3. Monitor network traffic for anomalous ID3 metadata packets or unusual communication patterns to detect potential exploitation attempts. 4. Disable or restrict remote control and streaming features that accept ID3 metadata from untrusted sources until a vendor patch is available. 5. Engage with Sonos support channels to obtain timely firmware updates or patches addressing this vulnerability and prioritize their deployment. 6. Conduct regular inventory and asset management to identify all deployed Sonos Era 300 devices and verify their firmware versions. 7. Educate IT and security teams about the risks associated with IoT devices and enforce policies for secure device onboarding and maintenance. 8. Consider deploying endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of monitoring IoT device behavior or network anomaly detection systems tailored for smart device traffic.