CVE-2018-5446 in 2090 Carelink Programmer
Summary
by MITRE
All versions of the Medtronic 2090 Carelink Programmer are affected by a per-product username and password that is stored in a recoverable format which could allow an attacker with physical access to a 2090 Programmer to obtain per-product credentials to the software deployment network.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/22/2025
The CVE-2018-5446 vulnerability affects the Medtronic 2090 Carelink Programmer, a critical device used for programming insulin pumps and other medical devices. This vulnerability represents a significant security flaw in the device's credential storage mechanism, where per-product username and password combinations are stored in a recoverable format. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it directly impacts the security of medical device networks and could potentially compromise patient safety through unauthorized access to critical medical device programming functions. The device's security architecture fails to implement proper cryptographic protection for authentication credentials, creating a persistent risk that remains valid across device usage cycles and deployments.
The technical flaw in this vulnerability stems from the insecure storage of authentication credentials within the device's memory or file system. The 2090 Carelink Programmer stores product-specific login information in a format that can be easily recovered through physical access or forensic analysis, effectively violating fundamental security principles for credential management. This approach directly contravenes established security practices outlined in the Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE) catalog, specifically CWE-312, which addresses "Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information." The vulnerability demonstrates poor implementation of access control mechanisms and lacks proper encryption or obfuscation of sensitive data, making it trivial for attackers to extract authentication credentials that would normally be protected through secure storage mechanisms.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-5446 extends beyond simple credential theft and represents a serious threat to medical device security and patient safety. An attacker with physical access to a 2090 Programmer could potentially gain unauthorized access to the software deployment network, enabling them to modify device configurations, access sensitive patient data, or even manipulate device functionality. This vulnerability creates a persistent backdoor that remains active throughout the device's operational lifecycle, as the stored credentials are not tied to specific sessions or time-limited tokens. The risk is exacerbated by the fact that these credentials could potentially be used to access multiple devices within the same network, creating a cascading security risk that could affect entire hospital or clinic networks.
The security implications of this vulnerability align with several MITRE ATT&CK framework techniques, particularly those related to credential access and privilege escalation. The attack vector leverages physical access to the device, which falls under ATT&CK technique T1018, "Remote System Discovery," and T1059, "Command and Scripting Interpreter," as attackers could potentially use the recovered credentials to execute unauthorized commands. The vulnerability also represents a failure in the principle of least privilege, as the device stores credentials in a manner that provides broad access rather than implementing role-based access controls. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including device lockdown procedures, physical security controls, and network segmentation to prevent unauthorized access to affected devices.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-5446 should focus on both immediate physical security measures and long-term architectural improvements. Organizations should implement strict physical access controls for all Medtronic 2090 Carelink Programmer devices, including secure storage when not in use and restricted access areas. Network-level mitigations should include segmentation of medical device networks from general corporate networks, implementing network access controls, and deploying monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized access attempts. Device firmware updates should be prioritized when available, though this particular vulnerability may require complete device replacement or hardware modifications to address the root cause. Security awareness training for medical device personnel should emphasize the importance of physical security controls and the potential consequences of credential exposure. The vulnerability underscores the critical need for medical device manufacturers to implement proper cryptographic protection for all sensitive data stored on devices, particularly those handling patient health information and critical medical functions.