CVE-2025-48705 identifies a vulnerability in the COROS PACE 3 smartwatch series, specifically versions up to 3.0808.0. The issue is a NULL pointer dereference triggered by a crafted Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) message. When an attacker sends a specially designed BLE packet to the device, it causes the device's software to attempt to access a memory location that is not initialized or is set to NULL, resulting in a forced reboot of the device. This vulnerability is a denial-of-service (DoS) type, impacting the availability of the device. The attack vector is wireless via BLE, which is commonly enabled on wearable devices for synchronization and communication. The vulnerability does not require user interaction beyond the device being within BLE range and having BLE enabled. There is no indication that authentication or pairing is required to exploit this vulnerability, which increases the attack surface. The lack of a CVSS score and absence of known exploits in the wild suggest this vulnerability is newly disclosed and not yet weaponized. However, the forced reboot can disrupt device functionality, potentially causing loss of data or interruption of health monitoring services. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of BLE messages, indicating a flaw in input validation or error handling within the device firmware. No patches or mitigation links are currently available, implying that users and organizations must rely on interim protective measures until an official fix is released.

For European organizations, the impact of this vulnerability primarily affects availability and operational continuity of COROS PACE 3 devices used by employees or within organizational health and fitness programs. The forced reboot can interrupt real-time health monitoring, fitness tracking, or other device-dependent workflows, potentially leading to data loss or inaccurate health data reporting. In sectors like healthcare, sports organizations, or corporate wellness programs, this disruption could degrade service quality or employee well-being monitoring. Additionally, if these devices are integrated into broader IoT ecosystems or used in security-sensitive environments, repeated forced reboots could be exploited to cause persistent denial of service or to distract from other malicious activities. While confidentiality and integrity impacts are not evident from this vulnerability, the availability impact is significant given the ease of exploitation via BLE without authentication. The wireless nature of the attack vector means that attackers do not need physical access, increasing risk in public or semi-public environments such as offices, gyms, or events. The absence of known exploits limits immediate widespread impact, but the vulnerability represents a potential vector for targeted disruption.

Given the lack of an official patch, European organizations should implement specific mitigations to reduce exposure. First, disable BLE functionality on COROS PACE 3 devices when not actively in use, especially in environments where unauthorized BLE scanning or connections are possible. Second, restrict physical and wireless access to areas where these devices are used, employing BLE signal jamming or controlled BLE environments if feasible. Third, monitor device behavior for unexpected reboots or instability that may indicate exploitation attempts. Fourth, educate users to avoid pairing or connecting to unknown BLE devices and to report unusual device behavior promptly. Fifth, coordinate with COROS for timely firmware updates and apply patches as soon as they become available. Finally, consider network segmentation and endpoint security controls that can detect anomalous BLE traffic patterns or unauthorized BLE communications within organizational premises.