Ultrasounds Lack Ultra Security, Research Shows

Ultrasound technology using an outdated operating system is vulnerable to attack, according to new research from Check Point. In a video demonstration, researchers revealed that connected ultrasound machines running Windows 2000 are able to be exploited. Because the Windows 2000 platform no longer receives patches or updates, the machines were rather easy for researchers to exploit. “Due to old and well known security gaps in Windows 2000, it was not difficult for our team to exploit one of these vulnerabilities and gain access to the machine’s entire database of patient ultrasound images,” researchers wrote in today’s blog post. If it's exploited, a hacker could reportedly have full-range access and be able to edit medical data. While an attacker would not be able to access personal information about pregnant women, they could theoretically change patient results and use medical information to blackmail people. Having access to the ultrasound system would also enable an attacker to put ransomware on the system. “Ultrasound technology has made huge advancements over recent years to provide patients and doctors alike with detailed and potentially lifesaving information,” researchers wrote.