10. Aug, 2022
Hacking Your Heart: Stay Safe Against Cyber Criminals Article by: Hussein Farhat
What is the firmware used in pacemakers, what companies manufacture pacemakers, tools used to exploit firmware
Firmware is the software that runs on the microprocessor in a pacemaker. It's responsible for controlling the pacemaker's basic functions, including pacing and cardiac recovery. There are several firms that manufacture pacemakers, and each has its own firmware. To exploit firmware vulnerabilities, researchers often use tools that can dump (or "reverse engineer") the firmware from a pacemaker into a readable format.
There are a number of different tools available for dumping firmware, but some of the most popular include "PacemakerDump" and "FirmwarePackager."
What is firmware?
Firmware is short for firmware update. It is the software that controls the operation of a device, such as a computer or a medical device. The firmware in a pacemaker is responsible for regulating the heart's electrical activity and can be updated to fix security vulnerabilities.
What companies manufacture pacemakers?
There are two main companies that produce pacemakers: Medtronic and St. Jude Medical. Other companies, such as CardioNetics and Atrium Health, make medical devices but also sell pacemakers.
Tools used to exploit firmware.
There are a number of tools that can be used to exploit firmware vulnerabilities, including code execution and information disclosure attacks, virtual machines, IDA Pro software, and hacking tools such as the Metasploit Framework.
Types of firmware
There are a few different types of firmware used in pacemakers, with different manufacturers producing them.
Some common firmware types include:
1. BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) firmware - This is the basic software that runs on a computer and controls the basic functions of the device, such as startup and shutdown. Many older devices use BIOS firmware, while newer devices use UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) or AMI (Advanced Management Interface) firmware.
2. UEFI/AMI firmware - This is the more advanced type of firmware that was introduced recently. It offers increased security and stability over BIOS firmware, and can be used with newer devices that support it. UEFI/AMI firmware is commonly found on computers and laptops, but can also be found on some medical devices.
3. Embedded software - This is a type of firmware that is built into the hardware itself, rather than being stored on a separate chip. This type of firmware is usually less complex than UEFI/AMI firmware, and can be found in simpler medical devices.
4. Custom firmware - This is a type of firmware that is created specifically for a certain device or application. There is no standard for this type of firmware, and it can be difficult to find and use.
5. Firmware updates - This is a common method of updating firmware on devices. Updates can be downloaded from the manufacturer's website, or they can be automatically downloaded and installed when the device is connected to a computer.
6. Firmware updates over the air (FOTA) - This is a newer method of firmware updates that was first introduced in 2015. FOTA allows devices to be updated over the air without having to connect them to a computer. This is an important feature for medical devices, as it allows them to be updated without having to be accessible to the public.
7. Firmware updates over the network (FON) - This is a newer method of firmware updates that was first introduced in 2016. FON allows devices to be updated over the network without having to be connected to a computer. This is an important feature for medical devices, as it allows them to be updated without having to be accessible to the public.
8. Firmware updates over the Internet (FUI) - This is a newer method of firmware updates that was first introduced in 2018. FUI allows devices to be updated over the Internet without having to be connected to a computer. This is an important feature for medical devices, as it allows them to be updated without having to be accessible to the public.
9. Firmware updates via the cloud - This is a newer method of firmware updates that was first introduced in 2019. Firmware updates via the cloud allow devices to be updated without having to be connected to a computer or mobile device. This is an important feature for medical devices, as it allows them to be updated without having to be accessible to the public.
10. Custom firmware via the cloud - This is a newer method of firmware updates that was first introduced in 2019. Custom firmware via the cloud allows devices to be updated without having to be connected to a computer or mobile device. This is an important feature for medical devices, as it allows them to be updated without having to be accessible to the public.
How to find firmware on pacemakers
There is a firmware that runs on the pacemaker, which is the brains of the machine. This firmware controls things like how long the heartbeats should be, how fast the pacemaker should pace pulses, and more.
The firmware is proprietary to the manufacturer of the pacemaker, so you won't find it on websites that specialise in finding leaked firmware or hacking devices. However, there are a few companies that manufacture pacemakers, and they usually release updates for their firmware online. If you can find a link to the latest firmware update for a particular model of pacemaker, you can download it and install it on your own machine.
Tools used to exploit firmware
Since medical devices are often connected to the internet, malicious actors can exploit vulnerabilities in firmware to gain unauthorised access to patient data and devices. Some of the most common tools used to exploit firmware are fuzzing tools, vulnerability scanners, and exploits.
Fuzzing tools allow analysts to test a range of inputs for a vulnerability to find an exploitable one. Vulnerability scanners look for known vulnerabilities in a system and present them to the user as a list. Exploits are software programs that take advantage of a vulnerability in firmware to execute arbitrary code on the device. By understanding how these tools work and which companies manufacture medical devices, attackers can better identify potential targets and vulnerabilities.
If you are investigating a firmware vulnerability, it is important to understand the different types of attacks that are possible. Many firmware vulnerabilities can be exploited via code execution or information disclosure attacks. Code execution attacks allow attackers to take control of the device and execute arbitrary code. Information disclosure attacks allow attackers to access sensitive information on the device, such as passwords and data stored in the user's account. By understanding which attacks are possible and how to exploit them, you can protect your data and devices from harm.
Conclusion
This article dives into the firmware used in pacemakers, how companies manufacture pacemakers, and some tools used to exploit firmware. If you are interested in attacking or exploiting a medical device for testing purposes only, this information is essential for understanding the target and finding any vulnerabilities.
