CVE-2019-10968 in Holter 2010 Plus
Summary
by MITRE
Philips Holter 2010 Plus, all versions. A vulnerability has been identified that may allow system options that were not purchased to be enabled.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/07/2023
The vulnerability identified in Philips Holter 2010 Plus devices represents a significant security flaw that undermines the integrity of the system's authorization mechanisms. This issue affects all versions of the device, indicating it is a fundamental design flaw rather than a temporary software bug. The vulnerability specifically targets the device's licensing and feature activation system, where unauthorized access to premium features could potentially be achieved through exploitation of the system's validation processes.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of purchased features within the device's software architecture. When a user attempts to access system options, the device should verify that the corresponding licenses have been properly acquired and validated. However, the flaw allows for bypassing these checks, potentially enabling access to features that were not purchased by the customer. This represents a failure in the device's access control mechanisms and could be classified under CWE-284, which addresses improper access control vulnerabilities. The issue essentially creates a backdoor mechanism within the device's software that allows unauthorized feature activation without proper authentication or licensing verification.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability poses serious implications for both healthcare providers and patients. Healthcare facilities using these devices may inadvertently provide access to premium features without proper payment, leading to potential financial losses for the manufacturer. More critically, unauthorized access to advanced features could result in improper device configuration, potentially affecting the accuracy and reliability of cardiac monitoring data. The vulnerability could be exploited by malicious actors to gain access to advanced diagnostic capabilities that should be restricted to authorized users, creating potential risks in clinical decision-making processes. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which involves exploiting legitimate credentials or privileges to gain unauthorized access to systems.
The impact extends beyond immediate unauthorized access, as this vulnerability could potentially serve as a foothold for more sophisticated attacks. Attackers who exploit this vulnerability might use it as a stepping stone to access other system components or to manipulate the device's operational parameters. The device's medical nature makes this particularly concerning, as any compromise could potentially affect patient safety. Healthcare organizations should consider this vulnerability as part of their broader cybersecurity risk assessment, particularly in environments where medical devices are connected to hospital networks or cloud services. The lack of version-specific mitigation information suggests that this is likely a systemic issue requiring firmware updates or complete system reconfiguration to address effectively.
Organizations should implement immediate monitoring of their Philips Holter 2010 Plus devices to detect any unauthorized feature activation attempts. The vulnerability's persistence across all versions indicates that manufacturers should provide comprehensive firmware updates addressing the root cause of the licensing validation bypass. Security teams should also consider network segmentation strategies to limit potential lateral movement if the device is connected to broader healthcare networks. The issue highlights the importance of proper software validation mechanisms in medical devices and underscores the need for robust licensing verification systems that prevent unauthorized access to premium features while maintaining the device's intended operational functionality and patient safety standards.