CVE-2011-5324 in Healthcare Centricity PACS-IW
Summary
by MITRE
The TeraRecon server, as used in GE Healthcare Centricity PACS-IW 3.7.3.7, 3.7.3.8, and possibly other versions, has a password of (1) shared for the shared user and (2) scan for the scan user, which has unspecified impact and attack vectors. NOTE: it is not clear whether this password is default, hardcoded, or dependent on another system or product that requires a fixed value.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/04/2017
The vulnerability identified in CVE-2011-5324 affects the TeraRecon server component within GE Healthcare Centricity PACS-IW versions 3.7.3.7 and 3.7.3.8, representing a significant security weakness in medical imaging systems that could compromise patient data integrity and system availability. This issue stems from the improper configuration of authentication credentials where specific user accounts utilize predictable or static passwords that may be known to attackers. The vulnerability specifically impacts two user accounts: a shared user account and a scan user account, both of which are configured with passwords that are either default, hardcoded, or derived from fixed system values rather than dynamically generated secure credentials. The ambiguity surrounding whether these passwords are truly default configurations or hardcoded values within the system creates additional uncertainty about the attack surface and potential exploitation vectors. This authentication weakness directly violates fundamental security principles and represents a critical flaw in the system's access control mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the configuration of user accounts within the TeraRecon server component where authentication credentials are not properly secured or randomized during system deployment. The shared user and scan user accounts are configured with passwords that lack sufficient entropy and security measures typically required for secure system access. From a cybersecurity perspective, this represents a classic case of weak credential management and default credential usage, which aligns with CWE-798 (Use of Hard-coded Credentials) and CWE-259 (Use of Hard-coded Password). The vulnerability enables unauthorized access to medical imaging data and system functionality that could be exploited by attackers with minimal effort, potentially leading to data breaches, system compromise, or denial of service conditions. The unspecified impact and attack vectors suggest that the vulnerability could be leveraged in multiple ways depending on the specific system configuration and network environment, making it particularly concerning for healthcare organizations that rely on these systems for patient care and data management.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to encompass broader security implications for healthcare organizations utilizing GE Healthcare Centricity PACS-IW systems. Medical imaging systems contain highly sensitive patient information that must be protected under regulations such as HIPAA, and the presence of weak authentication credentials creates significant exposure to data breaches and privacy violations. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability could gain access to patient medical records, imaging studies, and other critical healthcare data that could be used for identity theft, insurance fraud, or other malicious activities. The attack vectors for exploitation may include network reconnaissance to identify systems with default credentials, credential brute force attempts, or exploitation of network services that expose the vulnerable TeraRecon server. This vulnerability could be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1078 (Valid Accounts) and T1110 (Brute Force) as attackers would likely attempt to leverage these weak credentials to establish unauthorized access. Organizations may also face regulatory penalties and compliance violations if patient data is compromised due to this vulnerability, as it represents a failure to implement basic security controls for protecting sensitive healthcare information.
The mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate credential management actions including the implementation of strong, unique passwords for all user accounts, particularly those with elevated privileges. System administrators must conduct comprehensive audits of all user accounts and authentication mechanisms to identify and remediate any hardcoded or default credentials. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure configuration management and the need for regular security assessments of medical imaging systems. Organizations should implement automated credential management solutions that enforce strong password policies and regularly rotate authentication credentials. Additionally, network segmentation and access control measures should be implemented to limit exposure of vulnerable systems to unauthorized network access. Regular security training for system administrators and IT staff regarding secure configuration practices is essential to prevent similar issues in the future. The remediation process should include verification that all user accounts have been properly secured and that no default or hardcoded credentials remain in the system configuration. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper credential management in healthcare systems and the potential consequences of failing to implement basic security controls.