CVE-2025-27840 describes a medium-severity vulnerability in Espressif ESP32 chips, which allows 29 hidden HCI commands, including 0xFC02 (Write memory). With a CVSS score of 6.8, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to devices leveraging this technology. Organizations should be aware of the potential exploitation of these hidden commands, particularly as the exploitability is classified as medium and there are known exploits available.
The urgency for defenders is moderate; thus, organizations should schedule remediation as part of their security management practices. The vulnerability is notable for its impact on confidentiality and integrity while having low availability impact, necessitating careful risk assessment in deployment scenarios.
Organizations that utilize Espressif ESP32 chips should be prepared to mitigate this vulnerability proactively. As the nature of this vulnerability allows for the execution of critical commands, it is essential to address it promptly to avoid potential unauthorized access or exploits.
Risk to organizations includes unauthorized command execution potentially leading to device manipulation. Therefore, prioritizing patching and implementing preventive measures is crucial.
Vulnerability Details
Espressif ESP32 chips allow 29 hidden HCI commands, such as 0xFC02 (Write memory). The CVSS score is 6.8, indicating a medium severity level due to the potential for significant exploitation. The vulnerability affects the esp32_firmware, and was published on March 8, 2025.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of CVE-2025-27840 stems from the inclusion of hidden HCI commands in the Espressif ESP32 chips. The attack vector is physical, requiring direct access to the device, which increases the attack complexity to high, necessitating significant privileges.
No user interaction is required to exploit this vulnerability, which heightens the risk associated with unauthorized access. The impact of this vulnerability is classified as high for both confidentiality and integrity, while availability impact is low.
Risk & Impact Analysis
The potential risk to organizations deploying Espressif ESP32 chips includes unauthorized command execution that can lead to significant security breaches. The blast radius could extend to any device utilizing the affected firmware, making it essential for organizations to assess their exposure.
Given the CVSS score of 6.8, organizations should address this vulnerability in their priority patch cycle. The exploitability assessment indicates medium, emphasizing the importance of remediation as part of a comprehensive security strategy.
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | Yes |
Public PoC | Yes |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
All versions of esp32_firmware prior to vendor patch are affected by this vulnerability.
Mitigation & Remediation
To mitigate this vulnerability, organizations should apply the latest patches provided by Espressif for the ESP32 firmware. If a patch is unavailable, consider implementing configuration hardening measures such as disabling unused HCI commands and monitoring for unauthorized access attempts.
For an effective security posture, organizations should also consider conducting regular security assessments, including penetration testing to identify similar vulnerabilities.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor logs for indicators of unauthorized access to HCI commands and ensure that any unusual behavior is flagged for further investigation. Additionally, network signatures should be updated to detect potential exploitation attempts related to this vulnerability.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
CVE-2025-27840 raises important considerations about the security of IoT devices, specifically regarding hidden commands and their implications. This vulnerability reflects a broader trend of vulnerabilities in embedded systems that can lead to significant security breaches.
Organizations should learn from this incident to prioritize the security of IoT devices, ensuring all components are regularly updated and assessed for vulnerabilities. For additional insights on managing vulnerabilities, refer to our guide on vulnerability management and penetration testing methodology to enhance your security posture against potential threats.
As the landscape of vulnerabilities continues to evolve, organizations must remain vigilant and proactive in addressing these risks.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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