CVE-2017-12716
lowpriority · track · 26OT risk · elevatedEPSS 0.002 · 15 %ileEUUSEPSS · scored 2026-10-27
Abbott Laboratories Accent and Anthem pacemakers manufactured prior to Aug 28, 2017 transmit unencrypted patient information via RF communications to programmers and home monitoring units. Additionally, the Accent and Anthem pacemakers store the optional patient information without encryption. CVSS v3 base score: 3.1, CVSS vector string: AV:A/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N. Abbott has developed a firmware update to help mitigate the identified vulnerabilities.
remediations
Vendor fix, mitigation, or workaround guidance, as published by each source.
No vendor fix yet; a mitigation is available.
- MitigationAccent MRIcisa_csaf_ot
The pacemaker firmware update will implement RF wake-up protections and limit the commands that can be issued to pacemakers via RF communications. Additionally the updated pacemaker firmware will prevent unencrypted transmission of patient information (Accent and Anthem only). The firmware update can be applied to an implanted pacemaker via the Merlin PCS Programmer by a healthcare provider. It is recommended that healthcare providers discuss this update with their patients and carefully consider the potential risk of a cybersecurity attack along with the risk of performing a firmware update. Implementation of the firmware update is to be determined based on the physician's professional judgment and patient management considerations. Pacemakers manufactured beginning August 28, 2017, will have this update preloaded on devices.
- MitigationAccent/Anthemcisa_csaf_ot
The pacemaker firmware update will implement RF wake-up protections and limit the commands that can be issued to pacemakers via RF communications. Additionally the updated pacemaker firmware will prevent unencrypted transmission of patient information (Accent and Anthem only). The firmware update can be applied to an implanted pacemaker via the Merlin PCS Programmer by a healthcare provider. It is recommended that healthcare providers discuss this update with their patients and carefully consider the potential risk of a cybersecurity attack along with the risk of performing a firmware update. Implementation of the firmware update is to be determined based on the physician's professional judgment and patient management considerations. Pacemakers manufactured beginning August 28, 2017, will have this update preloaded on devices.
- MitigationAssurity MRIcisa_csaf_ot
The pacemaker firmware update will implement RF wake-up protections and limit the commands that can be issued to pacemakers via RF communications. Additionally the updated pacemaker firmware will prevent unencrypted transmission of patient information (Accent and Anthem only). The firmware update can be applied to an implanted pacemaker via the Merlin PCS Programmer by a healthcare provider. It is recommended that healthcare providers discuss this update with their patients and carefully consider the potential risk of a cybersecurity attack along with the risk of performing a firmware update. Implementation of the firmware update is to be determined based on the physician's professional judgment and patient management considerations. Pacemakers manufactured beginning August 28, 2017, will have this update preloaded on devices.
- MitigationAssurity/Allurecisa_csaf_ot
The pacemaker firmware update will implement RF wake-up protections and limit the commands that can be issued to pacemakers via RF communications. Additionally the updated pacemaker firmware will prevent unencrypted transmission of patient information (Accent and Anthem only). The firmware update can be applied to an implanted pacemaker via the Merlin PCS Programmer by a healthcare provider. It is recommended that healthcare providers discuss this update with their patients and carefully consider the potential risk of a cybersecurity attack along with the risk of performing a firmware update. Implementation of the firmware update is to be determined based on the physician's professional judgment and patient management considerations. Pacemakers manufactured beginning August 28, 2017, will have this update preloaded on devices.
cvss
Technical severity, 0–10. One row per scoring source.
base score 0–10 · higher = more severe · hover a vector to decode⚠ sources disagree · low–medium · 3.1–6.5
weaknesses
The CWE weakness classes this flaw belongs to.
affected products (13)
Products and version ranges known to be affected.
- Abbott Laboratories Accent and Anthem≤ All versions of pacemakers manufactured prior to August 28, 2017enisa_euvdEU
advisories (1)
Vendor and ecosystem advisories describing this.
- ICSMA-17-241-01ICSMA-17-241-01_Abbott Laboratories ' Accent/Anthem, Accent MRI, Assurity/Allure, and Assurity MRI Pacemaker Vulnerabilities2017-08-29icsa · cisa_csaf_otUS
This CSAF advisory was extracted from unstructured data and may contain inaccuracies. If you notice any errors, please reach out to the designated contact at CISA CSAF: central@cisa.dhs.gov
also known as (3)
Other names and identifiers for this entity.
sources
Which sources assert this record, and when.
references (7)
External citations — patches, advisories, analysis.
- http://abbott.mediaroom.com/2017-08-29-Abbott-issues-new-updates-for-implanted-cardiac-devicesPatchcnnvd
- https://ics-cert.us-cert.gov/advisories/ICSMA-17-241-01cnnvd
- https://www.securityfocus.com/bid/100523cnnvd
- http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/100523enisa_euvd
- https://ics-cert.us-cert.gov/advisories/ICSMA-17-241-01enisa_euvd
- http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/100523Third Party AdvisoryVDB Entrynvd
- https://ics-cert.us-cert.gov/advisories/ICSMA-17-241-01Third Party AdvisoryUS Government Resourcenvd
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