CVE-2014-5434 in SIGMA Spectrum Infusion System
Summary
by MITRE
Baxter SIGMA Spectrum Infusion System version 6.05 (model 35700BAX) with wireless battery module (WBM) version 16 has a default account with hard-coded credentials used with the FTP protocol. Baxter asserts no files can be transferred to or from the WBM using this account. Baxter has released a new version of the SIGMA Spectrum Infusion System, Version 8, which incorporates hardware and software changes.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/08/2023
The CVE-2014-5434 vulnerability affects the Baxter SIGMA Spectrum Infusion System model 35700BAX running version 6.05 with a wireless battery module WBM version 16. This medical device represents a critical security concern within healthcare environments where patient safety and data integrity are paramount. The vulnerability stems from the implementation of a default account with hard-coded credentials specifically designed for the File Transfer Protocol (FTP) communication channel. This configuration violates fundamental security principles and creates a persistent attack vector that remains exploitable across multiple system versions.
The technical flaw manifests through the use of hard-coded authentication credentials that are embedded within the device firmware and cannot be modified by system administrators or security personnel. This approach directly contravenes security best practices and industry standards such as those outlined in CWE-798, which categorizes the use of hard-coded credentials as a severe weakness. The FTP protocol itself, while functional for file transfers, lacks modern encryption capabilities and is inherently vulnerable to interception and manipulation. The hard-coded credentials provide attackers with a consistent method of authentication regardless of system updates or security configurations, creating a persistent backdoor within the medical device infrastructure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it creates potential pathways for malicious actors to compromise patient care systems. In healthcare environments, medical devices often operate in isolated networks but may still be vulnerable to insider threats or lateral movement attacks. The default account with hard-coded credentials could enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to system configurations, potentially leading to device malfunction, data manipulation, or the introduction of malicious firmware updates. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple versions of the system means that organizations cannot rely on simple software updates to remediate the issue, requiring more comprehensive hardware or system-level interventions.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies including network segmentation to isolate affected devices from critical systems, disabling unnecessary FTP services where possible, and conducting thorough inventory assessments to identify all affected devices within their infrastructure. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK framework's T1078.004 technique for valid accounts highlights the importance of monitoring for unusual authentication patterns and implementing robust access control policies. Security teams must also consider the broader implications for medical device security within healthcare environments, as this vulnerability represents a systemic issue that may affect similar devices from the same manufacturer or with comparable design patterns. The release of Version 8 by Baxter demonstrates industry awareness of such vulnerabilities and the necessity of addressing security flaws through comprehensive system updates that incorporate both software patches and hardware modifications to prevent recurrence of similar issues.