CVE-2025-32061 is a stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability (CWE-121) located in the Bluetooth stack developed by Alps Alpine for the Bosch Infotainment system ECU. The vulnerability stems from inadequate boundary checks on user-supplied data received over the upper layer L2CAP channel, a protocol used for Bluetooth communication. When a specially crafted packet is sent to the vulnerable ECU, it triggers a buffer overflow on the stack, enabling an attacker to overwrite critical memory regions. This can lead to arbitrary remote code execution with root privileges on the Infotainment ECU, without requiring prior authentication or user interaction. The affected product version is identified as 283C30861E, and the vulnerability was first discovered in the Nissan Leaf ZE1 model manufactured in 2020. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 8.8, reflecting high impact across confidentiality, integrity, and availability, with an attack vector of adjacent network (Bluetooth), low attack complexity, no privileges required, and no user interaction needed. Although no known exploits are currently in the wild, the vulnerability presents a significant risk due to the critical role of ECUs in vehicle operation and safety. Exploitation could allow attackers to manipulate infotainment functions, potentially escalate to other vehicle systems, or disrupt vehicle operation. The lack of proper boundary validation highlights a software development oversight in handling Bluetooth L2CAP packets. This vulnerability underscores the importance of secure coding practices and rigorous input validation in automotive embedded systems, especially those with wireless interfaces.

For European organizations, particularly automotive manufacturers, suppliers, and fleet operators, this vulnerability poses a critical risk. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized remote control of vehicle infotainment systems, potentially compromising driver privacy, safety, and vehicle functionality. The ability to execute code with root privileges on the ECU could allow attackers to pivot to other vehicle subsystems, leading to broader vehicle control or denial of service. This could result in safety hazards, regulatory non-compliance, reputational damage, and financial losses. Additionally, connected vehicles in Europe often integrate with broader telematics and smart city infrastructure, increasing the potential impact of such a compromise. The high adoption of Bosch components in European automotive supply chains amplifies the risk. Furthermore, the vulnerability could be exploited in targeted attacks against high-value individuals or organizations using affected vehicles. The absence of known exploits provides a window for proactive mitigation but also indicates the need for urgent patch development and deployment.

European organizations should immediately engage with Bosch and Alps Alpine to obtain security patches or firmware updates addressing this vulnerability. Until patches are available, network segmentation should be enforced to isolate vehicle Bluetooth interfaces from critical systems and external networks. Implement strict access controls and monitoring on Bluetooth communications to detect anomalous packets targeting the L2CAP channel. Automotive manufacturers should conduct thorough security audits of their infotainment systems and Bluetooth stacks to identify similar boundary validation issues. Incorporate runtime protections such as stack canaries and address space layout randomization (ASLR) in ECU firmware to mitigate exploitation impact. For fleet operators, restrict Bluetooth pairing to trusted devices only and disable Bluetooth interfaces when not in use. Collaborate with automotive cybersecurity incident response teams to prepare for potential exploitation scenarios. Finally, integrate this vulnerability into risk assessments and update incident response plans accordingly.