CVE-2021-27481 in Defibrillator Dashboard
Summary
by MITRE • 06/16/2021
ZOLL Defibrillator Dashboard, v prior to 2.2, The affected products utilize an encryption key in the data exchange process, which is hardcoded. This could allow an attacker to gain access to sensitive information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/19/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-27481 affects ZOLL Defibrillator Dashboard versions prior to 2.2, representing a critical security flaw in medical device cybersecurity. This issue stems from the improper implementation of cryptographic security measures within the device's data exchange protocol. The affected systems utilize a hardcoded encryption key that remains static across all installations, fundamentally undermining the confidentiality and integrity of patient data transmitted through the dashboard interface. Such a design flaw creates an inherent weakness that directly violates established security principles for cryptographic key management and secure communications in healthcare environments.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the use of a hardcoded cryptographic key within the device firmware, which represents a direct violation of security best practices and industry standards. According to CWE-327, this vulnerability falls under the category of use of a broken cryptographic algorithm, specifically manifesting as the use of a static key in encryption processes. The hardcoded nature of the encryption key means that any individual who gains access to the device's software or network traffic can potentially decrypt sensitive medical information, including patient records, device status data, and clinical information. This flaw creates a persistent backdoor that remains exploitable across all versions prior to the patched release, making it particularly dangerous in healthcare settings where patient privacy is paramount.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as it fundamentally compromises the security posture of medical facilities that rely on these life-saving devices. Attackers with network access to the defibrillator dashboard can exploit this weakness to gain unauthorized access to sensitive patient information, potentially leading to identity theft, medical fraud, and compromise of clinical decision-making processes. The vulnerability's exploitation risk is elevated due to the static nature of the encryption key, which means that successful exploitation requires minimal effort once the attacker has identified the device's communication patterns. This weakness directly impacts the healthcare industry's compliance with regulations such as HIPAA, potentially resulting in significant legal and financial consequences for affected organizations. The vulnerability also creates opportunities for attackers to manipulate device communications, potentially affecting patient care outcomes.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate action from healthcare organizations to update their ZOLL Defibrillator Dashboard systems to version 2.2 or later, which addresses the hardcoded encryption key issue through proper cryptographic key management. Organizations should implement network segmentation to isolate medical devices from general network traffic, reducing the attack surface for potential exploitation. The implementation of network monitoring tools specifically designed to detect anomalous communications patterns from medical devices can help identify potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments of their medical device ecosystems to identify similar hardcoded cryptographic vulnerabilities across their entire infrastructure. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1071.004 for application layer protocol and T1566 for phishing, as attackers could potentially use the compromised device to gain further network access or to manipulate patient data. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be implemented to ensure ongoing compliance with healthcare security standards and to prevent similar issues in other medical device deployments.