CVE-2017-14014 in ZOOM LATITUDE PRM Model 3120
Summary
by MITRE
Boston Scientific ZOOM LATITUDE PRM Model 3120 uses a hard-coded cryptographic key to encrypt PHI prior to having it transferred to removable media. CVSS v3 base score: 4.6; CVSS vector string: AV:P/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/01/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-14014 affects the Boston Scientific ZOOM LATITUDE PRM Model 3120 medical device, which is designed for cardiac rhythm management and monitoring. This particular device employs a hard-coded cryptographic key for encrypting protected health information (PHI) before transferring data to removable media such as USB drives or external storage devices. The implementation of a fixed cryptographic key represents a fundamental security flaw that undermines the confidentiality protections typically expected in healthcare environments where sensitive patient data must remain secure during transmission and storage. The device's failure to use dynamically generated or user-specific encryption keys creates a persistent vulnerability that can be exploited by unauthorized parties who gain access to the device or its data transfer mechanisms.
The technical flaw stems from the device's hardcoded cryptographic key implementation, which directly maps to CWE-327: Use of a Broken or Risky Cryptographic Algorithm. This vulnerability specifically manifests as a weakness in the device's encryption mechanism where the same key is embedded within the firmware or software configuration, making it accessible to attackers who can extract this key through various means including reverse engineering, physical access to the device, or by analyzing the device's communication protocols. The use of a hard-coded key eliminates the possibility of key rotation or unique encryption per data transfer, creating a single point of failure that compromises the entire encryption scheme. This design choice violates fundamental cryptographic best practices and industry standards such as those outlined in NIST SP 800-57 for key management and cryptographic key handling.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant within healthcare environments where patient privacy and data security are paramount. The CVSS v3 base score of 4.6 indicates a medium severity risk, but the actual operational consequences can be severe given that the device handles sensitive medical information including patient cardiac data, treatment histories, and personal health records. An attacker who successfully extracts the hard-coded key could decrypt all PHI that has been encrypted using this method, potentially exposing thousands of patient records to unauthorized access. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects data in transit to removable media, which often represents a common attack vector in healthcare environments where portable storage devices are frequently used for data transfer between systems. The absence of user authentication requirements for accessing the encryption key and the lack of proper access controls further amplify the risk. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1552.004: File and Directory Permissions Weakness, as the device fails to properly restrict access to its cryptographic keys and sensitive data.
The implications extend beyond immediate data exposure to include potential regulatory violations under HIPAA and other healthcare data protection regulations. Healthcare organizations using this device may face compliance challenges as the hard-coded key represents a failure to implement proper encryption key management practices. The vulnerability also demonstrates a lack of defense in depth principles, as the encryption mechanism relies on a single, static key rather than implementing multiple layers of security controls. Organizations should consider the device's inability to provide unique encryption per data transfer as a critical shortcoming in their overall security posture. The vulnerability affects both the device's internal security architecture and its integration with external data handling processes, making it a systemic risk rather than an isolated incident. Proper mitigation requires either replacing the device with one that implements dynamic key generation or implementing additional security controls to protect against unauthorized physical access to the device and its data transfer mechanisms, though the latter approach only provides partial protection against the fundamental cryptographic flaw.