Critical Stack‑based Buffer Overflow in Alpine iLX‑F511 vCard Parsing Enables Remote Code Execution (CVE‑2026‑118603)
What It Is — The Zero Day Initiative (ZDI) disclosed CVE‑2026‑118603, an 8.0‑severity stack‑based buffer overflow in the vCard parsing component of Alpine’s iLX‑F511 Bluetooth‑enabled device. An attacker who can convince the device to pair with a malicious Bluetooth source can trigger the overflow, bypass input validation, and execute arbitrary code with root privileges. The flaw stems from copying unvalidated vCard data into a fixed‑size stack buffer. No public patch exists yet; the vendor has been notified and is working on a fix. The advisory notes that the only interim mitigation is to block or tightly control Bluetooth interactions with the device.
Affected Products — Alpine iLX‑F511 (Bluetooth‑enabled intercom/doorbell device).
Why It Matters for Trust & Control Assurance — This incident tests the control objective of secure development and input validation—a single control that underpins many frameworks (e.g., NIST CSF, ISO 27001). Demonstrating that such controls are in place and auditable strengthens overall trust posture.
Recommended Actions
- Restrict Bluetooth pairing to known, trusted devices and disable discovery mode where possible.
- Monitor for firmware updates from Alpine and apply them promptly.
- Conduct a code‑review or third‑party assessment of the vCard parsing logic to verify proper input validation.
- Document the mitigation steps and map them to your secure‑development control for audit evidence.
Source: Zero Day Initiative Advisory