Data Privacy,
Data Security,
Governance & Risk Management
Federal Authorities Alert on Flaws That Could Enable Systematic Exploitation of Patient Monitoring Devices
U.S. federal officials have issued a warning regarding cybersecurity vulnerabilities in two specific brands of patient monitors, the Contec CMS8000 and Epsimed MN-120. This alert highlights the potential for remote attackers to take control of numerous devices simultaneously, which poses a significant risk to patient safety. Patients are urged to disconnect their monitors from the internet to mitigate these risks.
According to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), attackers could exploit these vulnerabilities in multiple detrimental ways, including disabling the devices and accessing sensitive patient information. CISA has specifically noted the risk of “simultaneous exploitation” across vulnerable devices operating on the same network, illustrating a critical threat to healthcare environments.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) corroborated these concerns in a recent safety communication. It stated that the vulnerabilities primarily affect the Contec CMS8000 monitors, which are essentially rebranded as Epsimed MN-120 models. These monitors are widely utilized for tracking essential patient vitals like temperature and heart rate, making their security imperative.
The identified flaws allow unauthorized personnel to bypass existing cybersecurity measures, thereby gaining access to and potentially manipulating these critical medical devices. While the FDA has stated that there have been no reported incidents of exploitation or injuries linked to these vulnerabilities so far, the seriousness of the issue remains evident, necessitating immediate action.
CISA has also released an advisory detailing the specific vulnerabilities, which include out-of-bounds write issues and hidden backdoor functionalities, numbered as CVE-2024-12248 and CVE-2025-0626 respectively. Exploiting these vulnerabilities could allow an unauthorized actor to send specially crafted requests that result in remote code execution, underscoring the severity of the threat.
In response to these findings, the FDA strongly recommends that individuals using these monitors in home settings should disconnect devices from power sources and disable any wireless capabilities if possible. Healthcare facilities are advised to take similar precautions, emphasizing the need for immediate disconnection of devices relying on remote monitoring.
The devices in question are manufactured in China and are in use globally, raising further concerns about the cross-border implications of such vulnerabilities. As cybersecurity threats continue to evolve, businesses and healthcare institutions must remain vigilant and proactive in assessing their device security to protect sensitive patient data.
This event draws attention to several tactics from the MITRE ATT&CK framework, notably initial access through compromised devices and privilege escalation via exploited vulnerabilities. By understanding these frameworks, stakeholders can better prepare for and counter potential threats to their cybersecurity landscape.
