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Security researchers disclosed two Bluetooth firmware vulnerabilities in Xiaomi Redmi Buds models 3 Pro through 6 Pro that can be exploited by an attacker within radio range without pairing or authentication. The issues stem from how the earbuds handle RFCOMM control/signaling, including monitoring of undocumented internal channels beyond standard profiles like HFP and A2DP.
The first flaw, CVE-2025-13834, is an information disclosure bug likened to Heartbleed: a crafted RFCOMM TEST command with a manipulated/oversized length can trigger an out-of-bounds read and return up to 127 bytes of uninitialized memory, potentially exposing sensitive data such as phone numbers of active call peers. The second, CVE-2025-13328, is a denial-of-service condition where flooding control or service channels with TEST commands or signaling frames exhausts the processing queue, causing a firmware crash and disconnect; reporting indicates recovery may require a physical reset (e.g., placing earbuds back in the charging case), and at least one account notes no patch was available at the time of publication.
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At the time the vulnerabilities were publicly reported, Xiaomi had not released a patch or remediation guidance for the affected Redmi Buds devices. Users were advised to reduce exposure by disabling Bluetooth when the earbuds were not in use, especially in public places.
CERT/CC reported that CVE-2025-13834 can expose up to 127 bytes of uninitialized memory, including call-related data, and that CVE-2025-13328 can exhaust resources and force persistent disconnects until the earbuds are reset in their charging case. The disclosure also noted exploitation was demonstrated from about 20 meters using standard Bluetooth equipment.
Security researchers found two Bluetooth-range vulnerabilities affecting Xiaomi Redmi Buds models from Redmi Buds 3 Pro through 6 Pro. The flaws allow unauthenticated nearby attackers to leak uninitialized memory via RFCOMM and crash firmware through control-channel flooding without pairing or user interaction.
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Researchers disclosed three vulnerabilities in Bluetooth audio devices built on Airoha systems-on-chip that can allow an attacker within radio range to gain unauthorized access to device memory and communications. The flaws, tracked as **`CVE-2025-20700`**, **`CVE-2025-20701`**, and **`CVE-2025-20702`**, stem from missing authentication in GATT and Bluetooth BR/EDR components and weak permission controls in a proprietary protocol, affecting headphones and earbuds sold by brands including **Sony, Bose, Jabra, JBL, Marshall, Beyerdynamic, and Teufel**. ERNW researchers said the bugs can be chained to hijack the Bluetooth link between a phone and an audio device, issue commands to the paired phone through the **Hands-Free Profile**, eavesdrop on conversations, and potentially overwrite firmware for remote code execution on the accessory. The attack requires proximity because exploitation is limited by Bluetooth range, but defenders were urged to apply vendor firmware updates and investigate or restart devices showing abnormal Bluetooth behavior.
Jul 24, 2026
Security researchers have identified and disclosed several critical vulnerabilities in Bluetooth headphones and earbuds powered by Airoha Bluetooth System-on-Chips (SoCs), which are widely used by major brands such as Sony, Bose, JBL, Marshall, and Jabra. The vulnerabilities, tracked as CVE-2025-20700, CVE-2025-20701, and CVE-2025-20702, allow attackers within Bluetooth range to eavesdrop on conversations, steal sensitive data, and potentially hijack connected smartphones. The most severe flaw, related to the RACE (Remote Access Control Engine) protocol, enables remote code execution and arbitrary memory access due to missing authentication mechanisms in both Bluetooth Low Energy and Classic modes. Despite initial disclosure in June 2025 and the availability of patches, many affected devices remain unpatched, increasing the risk of exploitation. The RACE protocol, originally designed for factory debugging and firmware updates, is exposed over multiple interfaces, including Bluetooth and USB HID, providing attackers with powerful capabilities if exploited. Researchers have released a white paper and the RACE Toolkit to help users and security professionals assess device vulnerability. The ongoing exposure of these flaws highlights the importance of timely patching and the risks associated with insecure default configurations in widely deployed consumer electronics. Users of affected headphones and earbuds are urged to check for firmware updates and apply patches as soon as possible to mitigate the risk of compromise.
Jun 29, 2026
Apple has released **Beats Firmware Update `1B211`** to fix a high-severity Bluetooth vulnerability in **Beats Studio Buds** that could let an attacker within wireless range listen through the earbuds’ microphone under limited conditions. The flaw, tracked as **`CVE-2025-20701`**, affected devices while they were **unpaired and actively seeking a pairing request**, allowing pre-pairing eavesdropping. Apple said the issue originated in **open source code** and noted that Apple software was among the affected projects. The bug was identified in **Airoha** system-on-chip code by researchers **Dennis Heinze** and **Frieder Steinmetz** of **ERNW GmbH**, who linked it to missing authentication in the Bluetooth **BR/EDR** radio. ERNW said the flaw could be chained with **`CVE-2025-20700`** and **`CVE-2025-20702`** to enable broader attacks against vulnerable headphones, including issuing phone commands, extracting link keys, accessing call history and contacts, and placing calls, though such attacks require close proximity and substantial technical skill. The update is delivered automatically when the earbuds are paired with an **iPhone, iPad, or Mac**, placed on a charger, and kept within Bluetooth range.
Jun 29, 2026