Google Fast Pair WhisperPair Vulnerability: 17 Devices Risk High-Speed Hijacking

In less than 15 seconds, a stranger could be listening through your earbuds. Researchers at KU Leuven University have uncovered a collection of vulnerabilities dubbed 'WhisperPair' in Google's Fast Pair protocol, potentially exposing hundreds of millions of users to stalking and eavesdropping.

How WhisperPair Hijacks Your Audio

The vulnerability affects 17 devices from 10 major brands, including Sony, JBL, Logitech, and Google itself. By exploiting flaws in the Bluetooth pairing process, attackers within a 50-foot range can silently connect to a device even if it's already paired with a smartphone. This allows hackers to inject audio, take over phone conversations, or turn on the microphone to monitor the victim’s surroundings.

The Challenge of Patching Peripheral Hardware

According to WIRED, Google has released security updates and notified vendors. However, many users don't use the required manufacturer apps to update their headphone firmware. Furthermore, researchers told WIRED they have already found a bypass for Google's latest patch, suggesting the problem may persist for months.