Thermo Fisher Patches Flaw That Could Make DNA File Tampering Nearly Undetectable

View CSAF

Summary

Successful exploitation of this vulnerability could allow an attacker to modify .fsa/.hid output files, tampering with DNA data and resulting in inaccurate test results.

The following versions of Thermo Fisher Applied Biosystems Genetic Analyzers are affected:

• Applied Biosystems 3500/3500xL Series Data Collection Software <=4.0.2 
• Applied Biosystems 3730/3730xL Series Data Collection Software <=5.0.2 
• Applied Biosystems SeqStudio Genetic Analyzer Data Collection Software <=1.2.5 
• Applied Biosystems SeqStudio Flex Series Instrument Software <=1.2.0 
• Applied Biosystems GeneMapper ID-X Software <=v1.7.3 
• Applied Biosystems 3130 Series Data Collection Software <=4.1 
• ABI PRISM 3100/3100-Avant Data Collection Software <=2.0 
• ABI PRISM 310 Data Collection Software <=3.1 

Background

• Critical Infrastructure Sectors: Healthcare and Public Health
• Countries/Areas Deployed: Worldwide
• Company Headquarters Location: United States

Vulnerabilities

Acknowledgments

• Nathaniel Adams, Laura Gaydosh-Combs, and Kevin Dyer reported this vulnerability to CISA

Legal Notice and Terms of Use

This product is provided subject to this Notification (https://www.cisa.gov/notification) and this Privacy & Use policy (https://www.cisa.gov/privacy-policy).

Recommended Practices

CISA recommends users take defensive measures to minimize the risk of exploitation of this vulnerability.

Minimize network exposure for all control system devices and/or systems, ensuring they are not accessible from the internet.

When remote access is required, use more secure methods, such as Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), recognizing VPNs may have vulnerabilities and should be updated to the most current version available. Also recognize VPN is only as secure as the connected devices.

CISA reminds organizations to perform proper impact analysis and risk assessment prior to deploying defensive measures.

CISA also provides a section for control systems security recommended practices on the ICS webpage on cisa.gov/ics. Several CISA products detailing cyber defense best practices are available for reading and download, including Improving Industrial Control Systems Cybersecurity with Defense-in-Depth Strategies.

CISA encourages organizations to implement recommended cybersecurity strategies for proactive defense of ICS assets.

Additional mitigation guidance and recommended practices are publicly available on the ICS webpage at cisa.gov/ics in the technical information paper, ICS-TIP-12-146-01B--Targeted Cyber Intrusion Detection and Mitigation Strategies.

Organizations observing suspected malicious activity should follow established internal procedures and report findings to CISA for tracking and correlation against other incidents.

No known public exploitation specifically targeting this vulnerability has been reported to CISA at this time. This vulnerability is not exploitable remotely.

Revision History

• Initial Release Date: 2026-08-04

Legal Notice and Terms of Use