CVE-2013-7405 in Healthcare Centricity DMS
Summary
by MITRE
The Ad Hoc Reporting feature in GE Healthcare Centricity DMS 4.2 has a password of Never!Mind for the Administrator 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 as CVE-2013-7405 resides within the Ad Hoc Reporting feature of GE Healthcare Centricity DMS version 4.2, representing a critical security weakness that fundamentally undermines the system's access control mechanisms. This issue manifests through the presence of a hardcoded administrative password that remains constant across deployments, creating an inherent backdoor that bypasses normal authentication procedures. The password "Never!Mind" represents a clear violation of security best practices and demonstrates poor implementation of credential management within medical imaging software systems. The vulnerability's designation as having unspecified impact and attack vectors suggests that the security implications extend beyond simple unauthorized access, potentially encompassing data manipulation, system compromise, and unauthorized administrative actions.
The technical flaw in this implementation directly relates to CWE-259, which addresses the use of hard-coded passwords, and CWE-798, concerning the use of hard-coded credentials in software. This vulnerability operates at the application layer of the system architecture, specifically targeting the authentication mechanism within the reporting subsystem. The hardcoded nature of the password means that any individual possessing knowledge of this value can gain immediate administrative access to the system without requiring legitimate credentials or authorization processes. The attack surface is significantly expanded because this vulnerability exists independently of user provisioning, system configuration, or network security controls, making it particularly dangerous in healthcare environments where sensitive patient data is stored and processed. The unspecified attack vectors indicate that this weakness could potentially be exploited through multiple access points including network-based attacks, local system compromises, or even social engineering approaches that leverage the predictable nature of the credential.
The operational impact of this vulnerability within healthcare settings is severe and multifaceted, as it directly threatens the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of medical data systems. Medical imaging databases contain highly sensitive patient information that requires strict access controls and audit trails to maintain compliance with regulations such as HIPAA. The presence of a default password creates an immediate risk of unauthorized data access, potential data manipulation, and complete system compromise that could disrupt critical healthcare operations. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple unauthorized access to include potential data breaches that could expose patient medical records, compromise diagnostic information, and undermine the trust relationships between healthcare providers and patients. Furthermore, the compromised system could serve as a foothold for attackers to escalate privileges and move laterally within healthcare networks, potentially accessing other connected systems such as electronic health records, laboratory information systems, or hospital information systems that may contain additional sensitive data.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-7405 must address both immediate remediation and long-term security improvements within the affected system environment. The primary immediate action involves changing the hardcoded password to a strong, randomly generated credential that meets established password complexity requirements. Organizations should implement a comprehensive patch management program that includes verification of system updates and security patches from GE Healthcare to ensure that the vulnerability has been properly addressed. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit the attack surface and prevent lateral movement within the healthcare network. The system should be configured to enforce strong authentication policies, including account lockout mechanisms and audit logging for authentication attempts. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough security assessments of their medical imaging systems to identify other potential hardcoded credentials or default configurations that may present similar vulnerabilities. The remediation process should also include regular security training for personnel to recognize and report potential security weaknesses, as well as establishing continuous monitoring procedures to detect unauthorized access attempts. This vulnerability highlights the critical importance of proper credential management and the necessity of avoiding default or hardcoded values in security-sensitive applications, particularly within regulated environments such as healthcare where the stakes for data protection are exceptionally high.