A high-severity vulnerability in the Qardio app poses a significant risk to users' personal health information, requiring prompt attention.
CVE-2025-24836 represents a significant security vulnerability in the Qardio health monitoring app, compromising the safety of personal health information (PHI). Discovered in early 2025, this flaw affects multiple versions of the app, leaving users exposed to unauthorized data access.
The vulnerability stems from a security flaw that allows attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms and gain access to sensitive medical data. This includes information such as blood pressure readings, ECG data, and heart rate records. Understanding the depth and nature of this vulnerability is crucial for both users and cybersecurity professionals.
The exposure of personal health data through CVE-2025-24836 poses multiple risks for Qardio users. Attackers gaining access to PHI can lead to severe privacy violations, including the misuse of blood pressure, ECG, and heart rate records.
Beyond privacy concerns, the risk of identity theft and fraud increases as stolen PHI can be leveraged for scams and unauthorized medical claims. Moreover, tampered medical data may result in misleading health alerts, potentially endangering users' well-being. It is imperative for users to be aware of these risks and take immediate action to protect their data.
For cybersecurity professionals, understanding the technical mechanisms of CVE-2025-24836 is crucial for detection and mitigation. This high-severity vulnerability in the Qardio health monitoring ecosystem arises from insufficient authentication validation and insecure credential storage, allowing unauthorized access to sensitive medical data and even potential manipulation of Qardio devices.
The following Qardio products are vulnerable to CVE-2025-24836:
These products are widely used for blood pressure monitoring, ECG tracking, and other health metrics, making the exposure of Personal Health Information (PHI) a serious security concern.
The Qardio Arm iOS application exposes sensitive data such as usernames and passwords within a plist (Property List) file, which is accessible on the local device.
The vulnerability also exposes an engineering backdoor within the application.
If exploited, this vulnerability could allow attackers to manipulate health data, exfiltrate patient records, or disrupt real-time biometric monitoring.
Security teams should monitor for:
✅ Unauthorized access attempts—Repeated logins from unrecognized IPs or geolocations.
✅ Suspicious plist file access—Unusual reads or modifications of sensitive files in the iOS file system.
✅ Unusual API requests—Requests accessing unauthorized patient records or device control endpoints.
✅ Anomalous hex-based commands—Unexpected command inputs through the engineering backdoor interface.
✅ Health data anomalies—Unexpected modifications in blood pressure, ECG, or heart rate metrics.
This vulnerability underscores critical security risks in connected health devices:
These issues highlight broader weaknesses in IoT medical device security, where insecure authentication and credential storage can be exploited.
The increasing cyber threats targeting medical devices and health applications necessitate robust security measures. Adhering to regulations such as HIPAA and GDPR is critical for ensuring the safety of medical data.
Healthcare organizations and app developers must prioritize encryption, access controls, and regular security audits to safeguard user data. Building a strong security framework is not just about compliance but also about protecting users' trust and well-being.
Users can take several steps to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2025-24836. Updating the Qardio app to the latest version is paramount, as developers typically release patches to address vulnerabilities. Enabling multi-factor authentication (MFA) and securing personal devices further enhance protection.
Organizations should focus on patch management, enforcing encryption, and improving access controls to reduce exposure. Additionally, developers of medical IoT apps must follow best practices in security to prevent future breaches. Proactive measures are essential for maintaining the integrity of health data and ensuring user safety.
For further details on CVE-2025-24836, refer to the CISA ICS Medical Advisory. Additional information can be found on the Qardio Official Website.
Staying informed about the latest security advisories and updates is crucial for both users and cybersecurity professionals. Regularly consulting trusted sources helps in making informed decisions and implementing effective security measures.