CVE-2022-41627 in KardiaMobile
Summary
by MITRE • 10/28/2022
The physical IoT device of the AliveCor's KardiaMobile, a smartphone-based personal electrocardiogram (EKG) has no encryption for its data-over-sound protocols. Exploiting this vulnerability could allow an attacker to read patient EKG results or create a denial-of-service condition by emitting sounds at similar frequencies as the device, disrupting the smartphone microphone’s ability to accurately read the data. To carry out this attack, the attacker must be close (less than 5 feet) to pick up and emit sound waves.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/26/2022
The CVE-2022-41627 vulnerability affects the AliveCor KardiaMobile, a smartphone-based personal electrocardiogram device that relies on data-over-sound protocols for communication between the medical device and smartphone application. This device represents a critical health monitoring system that collects sensitive patient cardiac data through a proprietary acoustic communication method. The vulnerability stems from the complete absence of encryption mechanisms within the sound-based data transmission protocol, creating a fundamental security flaw that exposes patient health information to unauthorized access. The device's design inherently assumes a trusted physical environment, failing to implement proper cryptographic protections for data in transit.
The technical flaw manifests in the device's reliance on acoustic signals for data transmission without any form of encryption or authentication mechanisms. The KardiaMobile device transmits ECG data through audible sound waves that are captured by the smartphone's microphone, creating a communication channel that can be easily intercepted or manipulated by adversaries. This implementation violates core security principles outlined in the OWASP Mobile Security Project and aligns with CWE-310, which addresses cryptographic weaknesses in security protocols. The lack of encryption means that any individual with sufficient technical knowledge can potentially decode the transmitted ECG data simply by capturing the acoustic signals through a nearby microphone, effectively eliminating any confidentiality protections for sensitive medical information.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception to include potential denial-of-service conditions that could compromise patient care. Attackers positioned within five feet of the device can emit sounds at similar frequencies to disrupt the smartphone microphone's ability to accurately capture the data transmission, potentially rendering the device unusable for its intended medical purpose. This creates a scenario where malicious actors could not only access sensitive health information but also prevent legitimate users from accessing critical cardiac monitoring services. The vulnerability particularly affects the device's usability in healthcare environments where patient privacy is paramount, as highlighted by HIPAA compliance requirements and the NIST Cybersecurity Framework for healthcare systems. The attack vector's proximity requirement limits the scope but does not eliminate the risk, as physical proximity attacks are often difficult to prevent in healthcare settings where patients may be in close contact with others.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-41627 should focus on both immediate operational measures and long-term architectural improvements. Healthcare organizations should implement strict physical security controls to prevent unauthorized individuals from accessing devices within the required five-foot proximity range, particularly in public or shared healthcare environments. The device manufacturer should implement proper encryption protocols for all data transmission methods, including the use of authenticated encryption algorithms that protect both confidentiality and integrity of medical data. Security controls should align with NIST SP 800-53 requirements for healthcare information systems and incorporate defense-in-depth principles that address the specific attack vectors identified in the MITRE ATT&CK framework for mobile device attacks. Additionally, healthcare providers should establish protocols for monitoring device communications and implementing network-based security controls to detect anomalous acoustic transmission patterns that could indicate malicious activity. The vulnerability underscores the critical need for security-by-design principles in medical devices, particularly those handling sensitive health information, and highlights the importance of adhering to industry standards such as ISO 13485 for medical device cybersecurity.