CVE-2022-26388 in ELI 150c
Summary
by MITRE • 02/07/2025
A use of hard-coded password vulnerability may allow authentication abuse.This issue affects ELI 380 Resting Electrocardiograph:
Versions 2.6.0 and prior; ELI 280/BUR280/MLBUR 280 Resting Electrocardiograph:
Versions 2.3.1 and prior; ELI 250c/BUR 250c Resting Electrocardiograph:
Versions 2.1.2 and prior; ELI 150c/BUR 150c/MLBUR 150c Resting Electrocardiograph:
Versions 2.2.0 and prior.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/07/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-26388 represents a critical use of hard-coded credentials flaw that fundamentally undermines the authentication security model of several medical device models manufactured by the same vendor. This issue affects multiple electrocardiograph systems including the ELI 380, ELI 280/BUR280/MLBUR 280, ELI 250c/BUR 250c, and ELI 150c/BUR 150c/MLBUR 150c models across their respective software versions. The flaw stems from the inclusion of hardcoded passwords within the device firmware or configuration files, creating a persistent security weakness that remains unchanged regardless of system updates or security patches. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-798, which specifically addresses the use of hard-coded passwords or credentials in software systems, and represents a significant deviation from secure coding practices that mandate dynamic credential management and proper authentication mechanisms.
The technical implications of this hard-coded password vulnerability extend beyond simple authentication bypass to encompass potential unauthorized access to sensitive medical data and system control functions. When devices contain hardcoded credentials, attackers who discover these values can gain persistent access to medical devices without requiring legitimate user authentication, potentially enabling them to manipulate patient data, alter device configurations, or even disrupt critical healthcare operations. The impact is particularly severe in healthcare environments where these devices are used for patient monitoring and diagnosis, as unauthorized access could compromise patient safety and medical confidentiality. This vulnerability creates a persistent backdoor that remains active until the device is physically replaced or the firmware is manually updated, making it especially dangerous for medical environments where device uptime and reliability are paramount.
From an operational standpoint, the vulnerability creates significant risks for healthcare organizations that deploy these devices, as it allows attackers to establish unauthorized access points that can persist across system reboots and software updates. The attack surface expands considerably when considering that these devices may be connected to hospital networks, potentially enabling lateral movement attacks where initial access to one device leads to compromise of additional systems within the medical network. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability aligns with T1078.004 which covers legitimate credentials and T1566 which addresses credential harvesting, as attackers can exploit these hardcoded values to gain unauthorized access to medical systems. The persistence of this vulnerability across multiple device models and versions suggests a systemic design flaw that affects the vendor's entire product line, making comprehensive remediation more complex and time-consuming.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate action from healthcare organizations to assess their deployed device inventory and implement appropriate security controls. The most effective immediate response involves physical replacement of affected devices or implementation of network segmentation to isolate these vulnerable systems from critical network segments. Organizations should also consider implementing network monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized access attempts and establish procedures for regularly reviewing device access logs. Long-term solutions include mandatory firmware updates from the vendor, implementation of dynamic credential management systems, and establishment of secure device lifecycle management processes. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of secure coding practices and proper authentication mechanisms in medical device development, as outlined in industry standards such as ISO 13485 for medical device quality management and NIST SP 800-82 for industrial control systems security. Healthcare organizations must also consider the regulatory implications of this vulnerability, as it may impact compliance with HIPAA regulations and other healthcare data protection requirements.