CVE-2025-8647 is a command injection vulnerability identified in the Kenwood DMX958XR device, specifically within its firmware update process. The vulnerability arises due to improper neutralization of special elements in user-supplied input before executing system calls, classified under CWE-78 (OS Command Injection). An attacker with physical access to the device can exploit this flaw without requiring any authentication or user interaction. By injecting malicious commands into the firmware update mechanism, the attacker can execute arbitrary code with root privileges, effectively gaining full control over the device. The affected firmware version is 1.0.0005.4600 (SOC Image). The vulnerability has a CVSS v3.0 base score of 6.8, indicating a medium severity level, with high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability but limited by the requirement of physical access (Attack Vector: Physical). No known exploits are currently reported in the wild. The vulnerability was assigned and published by the Zero Day Initiative (ZDI) under the identifier ZDI-CAN-26270. The lack of proper input validation in the firmware update process is the root cause, allowing an attacker to craft malicious input that is executed by the system shell, leading to full system compromise.

For European organizations, the impact of this vulnerability depends largely on the deployment of Kenwood DMX958XR devices within their infrastructure. These devices are typically automotive multimedia receivers, so the primary risk is to organizations involved in automotive fleets, vehicle maintenance, or connected vehicle services. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized control over the device, potentially compromising vehicle infotainment systems, which may be integrated with other vehicle controls or telematics. This could result in data breaches, unauthorized surveillance, or disruption of vehicle functions. While the requirement for physical access limits remote exploitation, insider threats or attackers with physical proximity could leverage this vulnerability. Additionally, compromised devices could serve as a foothold for lateral movement within an organization's network if connected to enterprise systems. The high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability means sensitive data could be exposed or altered, and device functionality could be disrupted, affecting operational continuity.

To mitigate this vulnerability, organizations should first identify all Kenwood DMX958XR devices in their environment and verify the firmware version. Since no patch links are currently available, organizations should contact Kenwood or authorized vendors for firmware updates or advisories. Until a patch is released, physical security controls must be enhanced to prevent unauthorized access to vehicles or devices. This includes restricting physical access to vehicles, implementing surveillance, and enforcing strict access policies. Additionally, organizations should monitor device behavior for anomalies indicative of compromise. Network segmentation should be employed to isolate vehicle infotainment systems from critical enterprise networks to limit lateral movement. If possible, disable or restrict firmware update functionality or require additional authentication mechanisms during updates. Finally, maintain an incident response plan tailored to automotive device compromise scenarios.