CVE-2018-8849 in 8840 N'Vision Clinician Programmer
Summary
by MITRE
Medtronic N'Vision Clinician Programmer 8840 N'Vision Clinician Programmer, all versions, and 8870 N'Vision removable Application Card, all versions does not encrypt PII and PHI while at rest.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/27/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-8849 affects Medtronic N'Vision Clinician Programmer devices including the 8840 model and 8870 removable Application Card across all versions. This represents a critical security flaw in medical device data protection where personally identifiable information and protected health information are stored without encryption. The issue directly impacts patient privacy and data security within healthcare environments where medical devices handle sensitive personal and medical data. The lack of encryption at rest creates a fundamental weakness in the device's security architecture, making patient information vulnerable to unauthorized access when stored on the device's memory systems.
This vulnerability stems from the absence of proper data encryption mechanisms within the device's storage architecture. The flaw operates at the data persistence level where information is retained between sessions and operations, creating a persistent security risk. According to CWE-311, this represents a missing encryption of sensitive data, specifically when data is stored in a manner that makes it accessible to unauthorized parties. The technical implementation fails to apply cryptographic protections to data at rest, which violates fundamental security principles for handling sensitive information. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality aspect of the CIA triad, as patient data remains exposed without proper encryption measures.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe within healthcare settings where patient privacy is paramount. Medical professionals using these devices may inadvertently expose patient information when the devices are stored or transported, particularly in environments where physical security controls are inadequate. The risk extends beyond direct device access to include potential exposure during device maintenance, repairs, or when devices are left unattended in clinical areas. Attackers with physical access to these devices could extract sensitive patient data, potentially leading to identity theft, medical fraud, or other malicious activities. This vulnerability directly conflicts with healthcare regulatory requirements under HIPAA and similar privacy frameworks that mandate appropriate safeguards for protected health information.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing encryption solutions for data at rest within the device's storage systems. Organizations should conduct immediate risk assessments to identify all affected devices and establish protocols for secure device handling and storage. The implementation of hardware-based encryption or software-based encryption solutions would address the core vulnerability. Additionally, organizations should consider device management policies that include regular security audits, proper device sanitization procedures, and enhanced physical security controls for medical devices containing sensitive patient information. These measures align with ATT&CK technique T1566 which addresses credential access through physical access to systems. The remediation efforts should also include staff training on device security best practices and establishing clear procedures for handling medical devices in clinical environments to prevent unauthorized data exposure.