465,000 Pacemakers Being Recalled by FDA due to Security Vulnerability
Users of pacemakers built by Abbott Labs are being recalled by the FDA. The units have a flaw that allows the device to be compromised by hacking. The vulnerability allows a cyber criminal to quickly drain the battery of a pacemaker or change it’s operation.
The recall is voluntary, but patients who have the pacemaker implanted will not have to have it removed. A 3 minute programming update from outside the body needs to be performed to fix the vulnerability.