CVE-2019-13539 in Valleylab Exchange Client
Summary
by MITRE
Medtronic Valleylab Exchange Client version 3.4 and below, Valleylab FT10 Energy Platform (VLFT10GEN) software version 4.0.0 and below, and Valleylab FX8 Energy Platform (VLFX8GEN) software version 1.1.0 and below use the descrypt algorithm for OS password hashing. While interactive, network-based logons are disabled, and attackers can use the other vulnerabilities within this report to obtain local shell access and access these hashes.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/22/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-13539 affects critical medical device software systems manufactured by Medtronic, specifically targeting their Valleylab surgical energy platforms. This security flaw resides in the authentication mechanisms of several device families including the Valleylab Exchange Client version 3.4 and below, as well as the Valleylab FT10 Energy Platform and FX8 Energy Platform with their respective software versions. The core issue stems from the implementation of the descrypt algorithm for operating system password hashing, which represents a significant weakness in modern cryptographic standards and creates exploitable entry points for malicious actors.
The technical implementation of the descrypt algorithm in these medical devices represents a fundamental security flaw that violates contemporary security best practices and industry standards. The descrypt algorithm, while functional, lacks the computational complexity and resistance to modern cryptographic attacks that characterize current security requirements. This vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the operating system level where passwords are hashed for authentication purposes, creating a potential attack surface that could be leveraged by threat actors with local access. The weakness becomes more pronounced when considering that while interactive and network-based logons are disabled, local shell access remains possible through other vulnerabilities present in the same exploitation framework, allowing attackers to directly access the password hash files.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple authentication bypass scenarios and represents a serious threat to medical device security and patient safety. When attackers gain local shell access through other vulnerabilities, they can directly examine the password hash files that utilize the weak descrypt algorithm, potentially enabling them to perform offline password cracking attacks. This scenario creates opportunities for unauthorized access to medical device systems that control critical surgical procedures, potentially leading to device manipulation, data compromise, or even patient harm. The vulnerability's presence in surgical energy platforms specifically raises concerns about the integrity of medical procedures where device control and accuracy are paramount. This weakness creates an attack vector that could be exploited by adversaries with physical access to devices or those who have already compromised other system components through different vulnerabilities.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term security architecture improvements. Organizations should prioritize upgrading affected devices to versions that implement stronger cryptographic hashing algorithms such as SHA-256 or SHA-512, which are resistant to the types of attacks that can compromise descrypt implementations. The remediation process should include comprehensive system hardening measures, including disabling unnecessary local access mechanisms, implementing robust access controls, and establishing network segmentation to limit potential attack vectors. Security teams should also implement continuous monitoring for unauthorized access attempts and establish incident response procedures specifically tailored to medical device environments. From a compliance perspective, this vulnerability highlights the importance of adhering to standards such as those outlined in the CWE catalog under weakness category 327, which specifically addresses the use of weak cryptographic algorithms, and aligns with ATT&CK framework techniques related to credential access and privilege escalation. The vulnerability underscores the critical need for medical device manufacturers to implement robust security by design principles and for healthcare organizations to maintain comprehensive asset inventories and security assessment programs for their critical medical equipment.