CVE-2014-7233 in Healthcare Precision THUNIS-800+
Summary
by MITRE
GE Healthcare Precision THUNIS-800+ has a default password of (1) 1973 for the factory default System Utilities menu, (2) TH8740 for installation using TH8740_122_Setup.exe, (3) hrml for "Setup and Activation" using DSASetup, and (4) an empty string for Shutter Configuration, which has unspecified impact and attack vectors. NOTE: since these passwords appear to be used to access functionality during installation, this issue might not cross privilege boundaries and might not be a vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/04/2017
The CVE-2014-7233 vulnerability affects GE Healthcare Precision THUNIS-800+ medical imaging equipment, presenting a significant security risk through the use of hardcoded default credentials across multiple system components. This vulnerability represents a classic weak authentication issue that could potentially allow unauthorized access to critical system functions during the installation and configuration phases of the device. The presence of multiple default passwords including 1973 for System Utilities menu, TH8740 for installation purposes, hrml for Setup and Activation through DSASetup, and an empty string for Shutter Configuration creates multiple potential entry points for malicious actors. These default credentials are particularly concerning because they are embedded within the installation process and system configuration utilities, potentially providing attackers with access to sensitive medical imaging equipment during its deployment.
The technical flaw manifests as a failure to implement proper authentication mechanisms during the device installation and configuration phases, which aligns with CWE-798 - Use of Hard-coded Credentials and CWE-320 - Key Management Errors. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple credential exposure, as it could potentially enable attackers to manipulate system configurations, access sensitive medical data, or compromise the integrity of the imaging equipment. The unspecified impact and attack vectors mentioned in the description suggest that the full scope of potential exploitation remains unclear, but the presence of hardcoded credentials in system utilities indicates a fundamental weakness in the device's security architecture. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous in healthcare environments where medical devices often contain sensitive patient information and where device integrity is critical for patient safety.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risks for healthcare organizations that deploy GE Healthcare Precision THUNIS-800+ equipment, as it could allow unauthorized individuals to gain access to system configuration functions during installation, potentially leading to device misconfiguration, data breaches, or even physical harm if device operations are compromised. The attack vectors likely include both physical access scenarios where an attacker could connect directly to the device during setup, and potentially network-based attacks if the device exposes these configuration interfaces over network protocols. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1078 - Valid Accounts and T1210 - Exploitation of Remote Services, as it leverages legitimate system accounts and interfaces to gain unauthorized access. The fact that these credentials are used during installation phases suggests that the vulnerability may not immediately cross privilege boundaries in traditional sense, but it still represents a critical weakness that could be exploited by attackers with physical access or those who can observe the installation process.
The recommended mitigations for CVE-2014-7233 include immediate implementation of secure configuration practices during device installation, including changing all default passwords to strong, unique credentials before the device is put into operational use. Organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments of their medical imaging equipment to identify all hardcoded credentials and ensure that default accounts are disabled or have their passwords changed immediately upon installation. Additionally, implementing network segmentation and access controls around medical devices can limit the potential impact of such vulnerabilities. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure device lifecycle management and proper security hardening procedures, particularly in critical infrastructure environments where medical devices are increasingly connected to enterprise networks and subject to cybersecurity threats.