CVE-2025-20700 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting multiple series of Airoha Technology Corp.'s Bluetooth audio SDKs, specifically the AB156x, AB157x, AB158x, AB159x series, and AB1627 chipsets. The root cause is a missing authentication check (CWE-306) in the implementation of the RACE protocol over the Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) Generic Attribute Profile (GATT) service. This flaw allows an unauthenticated remote attacker to bypass permission controls and access critical data or functions exposed via the RACE protocol without requiring any user interaction or elevated privileges. The vulnerability exists in Airoha IoT SDK for BT audio version 5.5.0 and earlier, as well as the AB1561x/AB1562x/AB1563x SDK version 3.3.1 and earlier. Exploitation can lead to remote escalation of privilege, compromising confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected device. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 8.8, reflecting a high impact with attack vector being adjacent (Bluetooth), low attack complexity, no privileges required, and no user interaction needed. This vulnerability is particularly critical because Bluetooth LE is widely used in IoT and audio devices, and the RACE protocol is often used for device management and control. The lack of authentication means attackers within Bluetooth range can potentially execute unauthorized commands or extract sensitive information, potentially leading to device takeover or disruption. No patches are currently linked, and no known exploits in the wild have been reported yet, but the vulnerability's characteristics make it a significant risk once weaponized.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-20700 can be substantial, especially those relying on IoT devices, wireless audio peripherals, or embedded systems using Airoha chipsets. Compromise of these devices can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive corporate data, disruption of critical communication channels, or pivoting points for further network intrusion. Industries such as telecommunications, manufacturing, healthcare, and smart building management that deploy Bluetooth-enabled devices are particularly at risk. The remote and unauthenticated nature of the exploit increases the attack surface, as adversaries only need to be within Bluetooth range, which can be exploited in public or semi-public spaces. Additionally, the escalation of privileges without user interaction means that stealthy attacks are possible, complicating detection and response. This vulnerability could also undermine trust in Bluetooth-enabled devices and IoT deployments across Europe, potentially causing operational disruptions and financial losses.

European organizations should implement a multi-layered mitigation strategy: 1) Inventory and identify all devices using affected Airoha SDK versions and chipsets. 2) Engage with vendors and manufacturers to obtain patches or firmware updates addressing this vulnerability as soon as they become available. 3) Where patching is not immediately possible, restrict physical access and Bluetooth range exposure by disabling Bluetooth when not in use or using Bluetooth signal containment techniques (e.g., shielding, limiting transmission power). 4) Monitor Bluetooth traffic for anomalous RACE protocol activity using specialized BLE security tools or network sensors capable of BLE protocol analysis. 5) Implement network segmentation to isolate Bluetooth-enabled devices from critical infrastructure. 6) Educate staff about the risks of Bluetooth attacks and enforce policies to minimize unauthorized Bluetooth connections. 7) Consider deploying endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions that can detect unusual device behavior indicative of exploitation attempts. These steps go beyond generic advice by focusing on device-specific inventory, vendor coordination, physical and network controls tailored to Bluetooth vulnerabilities, and active monitoring of BLE communications.