Medtronic 2090 Carelink Programmer Vulnerabilities (Update C)
Monitor7.1ICS-CERT ICSMA-18-058-01Feb 27, 2018
Attack VectorNetwork
Auth RequiredLow
ComplexityHigh
User InteractionRequired
Summary
Vulnerabilities in the Medtronic 2090 CareLink Programmer and 29901 Encore Programmer allow an attacker with physical access to extract embedded credentials that provide access to Medtronic's software deployment network. These credentials currently grant read-only access to device software applications. The vulnerabilities affect file integrity and credential management. Medtronic has determined no new safety risks were identified. The vendor will not issue product updates but has disabled the network-based software update mechanism and implemented server-side security changes as mitigations.
What this means
What could happen
An attacker with physical access to the programmer could extract credentials used to access Medtronic's software deployment network, potentially enabling unauthorized software download or deployment. While currently limited to read-only access, this could compromise the integrity of device software updates.
Who's at risk
Medical device technicians and biomedical engineers at hospitals and cardiac care centers who deploy and maintain Medtronic 2090 CareLink Programmers and 29901 Encore Programmers used for patient device programming and monitoring.
How it could be exploited
An attacker with physical access to a 2090 or Encore programmer can extract embedded credentials from the device that provide access to Medtronic's software deployment network. The attacker uses these credentials to authenticate to the deployment system, gaining read-only access to device software repositories.
Prerequisites
- Physical access to the 2090 CareLink Programmer or 29901 Encore Programmer device
- Knowledge of credential extraction techniques
- Network access to Medtronic's software deployment network
No patch availableRequires physical access (reduces risk)Affects medical device update infrastructureCredentials could enable unauthorized software access
Exploitability
Low exploit probability (EPSS 0.2%)
Affected products (2)
2 EOL
ProductAffected VersionsFix Status
2090 CareLink Programmer: all versionsAll versionsNo fix (EOL)
29901 Encore Programmer: all versionsAll versionsNo fix (EOL)
Remediation & Mitigation
0/4
Do now
0/1WORKAROUNDDisable network-based software update mechanisms (VPN and HTTP subservices) on affected programmers
Schedule — requires maintenance window
0/1Patching may require device reboot — plan for process interruption
WORKAROUNDObtain and apply security updates only via controlled USB dongles from Medtronic Technical Services (contact 800-638-1991)
Mitigations - no patch available
0/2The following products have reached End of Life with no planned fix: 2090 CareLink Programmer: all versions, 29901 Encore Programmer: all versions. Apply the following compensating controls:
HARDENINGImplement physical access controls to limit unauthorized handling of 2090 and Encore programmers
HARDENINGRestrict network access to devices to ensure they cannot reach external networks without authorization
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