CVE-2025-8472 is a high-severity stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability identified in the Alpine iLX-507, a popular in-car multimedia receiver. The vulnerability arises from improper validation of vCard data length during parsing, which allows an attacker to overflow a stack buffer. Specifically, the device fails to correctly check the size of user-supplied vCard data before copying it into a fixed-size stack buffer, leading to memory corruption. Exploitation requires the target device to connect to a malicious Bluetooth device that sends crafted vCard data. Successful exploitation enables remote code execution with root privileges, allowing an attacker to fully compromise the device's operating environment. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-121 (stack-based buffer overflow) and has a CVSS v3.0 score of 7.4, indicating high severity. The attack vector is adjacent network (Bluetooth), requiring low attack complexity but user interaction in the form of pairing or connecting to the malicious Bluetooth device. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no patches have been published yet. The affected version is Alpine iLX-507 firmware 6.0.000. Given the root-level code execution, an attacker could manipulate device functionality, access sensitive data, or pivot to other connected vehicle systems, posing significant security risks.

For European organizations, especially those operating fleets or providing connected vehicle services, this vulnerability presents a substantial risk. Compromise of Alpine iLX-507 devices could lead to unauthorized control over in-car infotainment systems, potentially exposing sensitive user data such as contacts, navigation history, or personal information stored in vCards. Root-level access could also allow attackers to disrupt vehicle operations or use the compromised device as a foothold to attack other vehicle subsystems or connected enterprise networks. This risk is heightened in corporate or governmental fleets where such devices are widely deployed. Additionally, the requirement for Bluetooth connection means that attackers could target vehicles in public or semi-public spaces, increasing the attack surface. The vulnerability could also undermine user trust in connected vehicle technologies and impact compliance with European data protection regulations if personal data is exposed or manipulated.

Given the absence of an official patch, European organizations should implement layered mitigations. First, restrict Bluetooth pairing and connections to trusted devices only, enforcing strict device whitelisting and disabling automatic pairing modes. Employ network segmentation to isolate vehicle infotainment systems from critical enterprise networks to limit lateral movement if compromise occurs. Monitor Bluetooth activity logs for unusual connection attempts or data transfers. Educate users and drivers about the risks of connecting to unknown Bluetooth devices and enforce policies against pairing with untrusted devices. Where possible, disable Bluetooth functionality when not required. Engage with Alpine and vendors for timely firmware updates and prioritize patch deployment once available. Additionally, consider deploying endpoint detection solutions capable of identifying anomalous behavior on the infotainment system. For fleet operators, incorporate device inventory and vulnerability management processes to track affected devices and ensure rapid response.