CVE-2025-12995 in CareLink Network
Summary
by MITRE • 12/04/2025
Medtronic CareLink Network allows an unauthenticated remote attacker to perform a brute force attack on an API endpoint that could be used to determine a valid password under certain circumstances. This issue affects CareLink Network: before December 4, 2025.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/23/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-12995 resides within the Medtronic CareLink Network platform, a critical system used for remote patient monitoring and device management in healthcare environments. This weakness represents a significant security gap that could potentially compromise patient safety and data integrity. The affected system operates as a network infrastructure connecting medical devices to healthcare providers, making it a prime target for malicious actors seeking unauthorized access to sensitive patient information and medical device control mechanisms. The vulnerability specifically targets the authentication mechanisms of the CareLink Network platform, creating an avenue for unauthorized individuals to exploit the system's API endpoints without requiring valid credentials initially.
The technical flaw manifests as a lack of proper rate limiting and account lockout mechanisms within the API authentication process. An unauthenticated remote attacker can systematically attempt multiple password guesses against the authentication endpoint, potentially leading to successful credential discovery through brute force methodologies. This vulnerability operates under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-307 which specifically addresses improper restriction of excessive authentication attempts. The weakness allows for continuous authentication attempts without sufficient protective measures, making it particularly dangerous in healthcare environments where medical devices are directly connected to patient monitoring systems. The attack vector is remote and does not require physical access to the devices or network infrastructure, significantly expanding the potential threat surface.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it could enable attackers to gain unauthorized control over connected medical devices. In healthcare settings, this could result in compromised patient monitoring, altered treatment protocols, or even life-threatening situations if critical medical devices are manipulated. The vulnerability affects all versions of CareLink Network prior to December 4, 2025, indicating that organizations operating within this timeframe face an elevated risk. This timeframe suggests that the vulnerability may have been introduced through a recent software update or configuration change, making it particularly concerning for organizations that have not yet implemented the necessary security patches. The potential for cascading effects exists, as compromised access to one device could potentially provide entry points to broader hospital networks or other connected medical systems.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including the deployment of robust rate limiting mechanisms on all API endpoints, implementation of account lockout procedures after failed authentication attempts, and the enforcement of strong password policies. Network segmentation and monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual authentication patterns that may indicate brute force attacks. The mitigation strategies align with ATT&CK framework techniques related to credential access and defense evasion, requiring organizations to implement both preventive controls and detection mechanisms. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify additional vulnerabilities in the medical device ecosystem. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining current security patches and implementing proper vulnerability management processes specifically tailored for healthcare environments where device security is paramount to patient safety.