CVE-2025-48981 in CGM MEDICOI
Summary
by MITRE • 10/08/2025
An insecure implementation of the proprietary protocol DNET in Product CGM MEDICO allows attackers within the intranet to eavesdrop and manipulate data on the protocol because encryption is optional for this connection.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/10/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-48981 resides within the proprietary DNET protocol implementation found in the CGM MEDICO product line, representing a significant security weakness that undermines the confidentiality and integrity of network communications. This proprietary protocol, designed for medical device networking, fails to enforce mandatory encryption mechanisms, creating an exploitable condition that allows malicious actors within the same intranet segment to intercept and manipulate sensitive data flows. The optional nature of encryption within this protocol design fundamentally compromises the security posture of medical environments where data integrity and patient confidentiality are paramount. The vulnerability specifically affects the communication layer of medical devices that rely on the DNET protocol for their operational functions, potentially exposing critical health information and device control commands to unauthorized parties who have network access.
The technical flaw manifests through the absence of mandatory encryption enforcement within the DNET protocol stack, creating a scenario where attackers can perform man-in-the-middle attacks without requiring advanced cryptographic capabilities or specialized tools. This weakness directly aligns with CWE-310, which addresses cryptographic weaknesses, and more specifically with CWE-312, which covers the exposure of sensitive information through cleartext transmission. The protocol implementation does not mandate encryption for data transmission, leaving communications vulnerable to eavesdropping and data manipulation attacks. Attackers can exploit this by simply positioning themselves within the same network segment to capture network traffic, analyze the unencrypted data flows, and potentially alter commands sent to medical devices. The proprietary nature of DNET adds complexity to remediation efforts as standard network monitoring tools may not adequately detect or analyze the specific protocol behavior, requiring specialized knowledge of the implementation details.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception, as it enables potential manipulation of medical device operations that could have serious consequences for patient safety and healthcare delivery. When attackers can manipulate data within the DNET protocol, they may alter device settings, modify patient monitoring parameters, or interfere with critical medical procedures. This represents a severe threat to the availability and integrity of medical systems, as the protocol's optional encryption creates an attack surface that can be exploited to compromise the entire medical device ecosystem. The vulnerability particularly affects healthcare environments where medical devices communicate through the DNET protocol, potentially leading to misdiagnosis, incorrect treatment decisions, or even life-threatening situations. The attack vector requires only network access within the same intranet segment, making it particularly dangerous in environments where physical security controls may be insufficient or where unauthorized personnel have legitimate network access rights.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability must address both the immediate protocol-level issues and broader network security controls. Organizations should implement mandatory network segmentation to isolate medical device networks from general corporate networks, effectively reducing the attack surface for this specific vulnerability. Network monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect anomalous DNET protocol behavior and unencrypted communications, enabling security teams to identify potential exploitation attempts. The implementation of network access controls and authentication mechanisms can help prevent unauthorized access to the intranet segments where these devices operate. Additionally, vendors should be encouraged to provide firmware updates that enforce mandatory encryption for all DNET protocol communications, addressing the root cause of the vulnerability. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1046 for network service scanning and T1566 for credential harvesting, as attackers may attempt to discover network services and exploit the unencrypted communication channels. Organizations should also consider implementing network traffic analysis tools that can identify and alert on protocol anomalies that may indicate exploitation attempts, ensuring comprehensive protection against this specific vulnerability while maintaining the operational integrity of medical device networks.