CVE-2018-10596

Medtronic 2090 Carelink Programmer Improper Restriction of Communication Channel to Intended Endpoints

Description

Medtronic 2090 CareLink Programmer uses a virtual private network connection to securely download updates. It does not verify it is still connected to this virtual private network before downloading updates. The affected products initially establish an encapsulated IP-based VPN connection to a Medtronic-hosted update network. Once the VPN is established, it makes a request to a HTTP (non-TLS) server across the VPN for updates, which responds and provides any available updates. The programmer-side (client) service responsible for this HTTP request does not check to ensure it is still connected to the VPN before making the HTTP request. Thus, an attacker could cause the VPN connection to terminate (through various methods and attack points) and intercept the HTTP request, responding with malicious updates via a man-in-the-middle attack. The affected products do not verify the origin or integrity of these updates, as it insufficiently relied on the security of the VPN. An attacker with remote network access to the programmer could influence these communications.

Remediation

Workaround:

  • Medtronic has assessed the vulnerabilities and determined that no new potential safety risks were identified. In order to enhance system security, Medtronic has added periodic integrity checks for files associated with the software deployment network. Additionally, Medtronic has developed server-side security changes that further enhance security. Medtronic reports that they will not be issuing a product update; however, Medtronic has identified compensating controls within this advisory to reduce the risk of exploitation and reiterates the following from the CareLink 2090 Programmer Reference Manual: * Maintain good physical controls over the programmer. Having a secure physical environment prevents access to the internals of the programmer. * Only connect the programmer to managed, secure networks. * Update the software on the programmer when Medtronic updates are available. * Alternatively, disconnect the programmer from the network. Network connectivity is not required for normal programmer operation. * Offline updates are available, contact your Medtronic representative for more information. Medtronic has deployed mitigating patches to address the reported vulnerabilities. Medtronic has also stated that they have increased security controls associated with these vulnerabilities. As a result of the available mitigating patches, Medtronic has re-enabled the network-based software update mechanism. Medtronic has stated that the patch for affected products can be obtained by contacting Medtronic Technical Services at 800‑638‑1991. After additional review and risk evaluation of the affected products, Medtronic has disabled the network-based software update mechanism, including both the VPN and the HTTP subservices, as an immediate security mitigation. Users should not attempt to update the affected products over the network as this update mechanism is vulnerable to the attack described in section 4.2.3. Medtronic will continue to implement and deploy increased security protections and mitigations to address the vulnerabilities in this advisory. Users should still obtain and apply updates via controlled USB dongles and should contact their Medtronic representative for more information. Medtronic recommends that affected products continue to be used for their intended purpose in the previously described manner. Medtronic has released a security bulletin for the 2090 CareLink Programmer https://www.medtronic.com/security .

Categories

7.1
CVSS
Severity: High
CVSS 3.1 •
CVSS 3.0 •
CVSS 2.0 •
EPSS 0.05%
Third-Party Advisory us-cert.gov
Affected: Medtronic 2090 CareLink Programmer
Affected: Medtronic 29901 Encore Programmer
Published at:
Updated at:

References

Link Tags
https://global.medtronic.com/xg-en/product-security/security-bulletins/carelink-2090-29901.html
https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/ics-medical-advisories/icsma-18-058-01
https://ics-cert.us-cert.gov/advisories/ICSMA-18-058-01 third party advisory us government resource

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the severity of CVE-2018-10596?
CVE-2018-10596 has been scored as a high severity vulnerability.
How to fix CVE-2018-10596?
As a workaround for remediating CVE-2018-10596: Medtronic has assessed the vulnerabilities and determined that no new potential safety risks were identified. In order to enhance system security, Medtronic has added periodic integrity checks for files associated with the software deployment network. Additionally, Medtronic has developed server-side security changes that further enhance security. Medtronic reports that they will not be issuing a product update; however, Medtronic has identified compensating controls within this advisory to reduce the risk of exploitation and reiterates the following from the CareLink 2090 Programmer Reference Manual: * Maintain good physical controls over the programmer. Having a secure physical environment prevents access to the internals of the programmer. * Only connect the programmer to managed, secure networks. * Update the software on the programmer when Medtronic updates are available. * Alternatively, disconnect the programmer from the network. Network connectivity is not required for normal programmer operation. * Offline updates are available, contact your Medtronic representative for more information. Medtronic has deployed mitigating patches to address the reported vulnerabilities. Medtronic has also stated that they have increased security controls associated with these vulnerabilities. As a result of the available mitigating patches, Medtronic has re-enabled the network-based software update mechanism. Medtronic has stated that the patch for affected products can be obtained by contacting Medtronic Technical Services at 800‑638‑1991. After additional review and risk evaluation of the affected products, Medtronic has disabled the network-based software update mechanism, including both the VPN and the HTTP subservices, as an immediate security mitigation. Users should not attempt to update the affected products over the network as this update mechanism is vulnerable to the attack described in section 4.2.3. Medtronic will continue to implement and deploy increased security protections and mitigations to address the vulnerabilities in this advisory. Users should still obtain and apply updates via controlled USB dongles and should contact their Medtronic representative for more information. Medtronic recommends that affected products continue to be used for their intended purpose in the previously described manner. Medtronic has released a security bulletin for the 2090 CareLink Programmer https://www.medtronic.com/security .
Is CVE-2018-10596 being actively exploited in the wild?
As for now, there are no information to confirm that CVE-2018-10596 is being actively exploited. According to its EPSS score, there is a ~0% probability that this vulnerability will be exploited by malicious actors in the next 30 days.
What software or system is affected by CVE-2018-10596?
CVE-2018-10596 affects Medtronic 2090 CareLink Programmer, Medtronic 29901 Encore Programmer.
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