CVE-2015-1011 in LifeCare PCA Infusion System
Summary
by MITRE
Hospira LifeCare PCA Infusion System before 7.0 has hardcoded credentials, which makes it easier for remote attackers to obtain access via unspecified vectors.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/04/2019
The Hospira LifeCare PCA Infusion System represents a critical medical device used in pain management for patients requiring controlled medication delivery. This system operates within healthcare environments where patient safety and data integrity are paramount. The vulnerability identified in versions prior to 7.0 stems from the implementation of hardcoded credentials within the device firmware, a flaw that directly violates fundamental security principles established by industry standards including those outlined in CWE-798. The presence of hardcoded authentication credentials creates a persistent security weakness that remains exploitable regardless of network configuration changes or administrative password updates.
The technical implementation of hardcoded credentials within the Hospira system allows unauthorized parties to gain access to the device through unspecified vectors that could include network reconnaissance, physical access to network infrastructure, or exploitation of unpatched network services. This vulnerability fundamentally undermines the device's authentication mechanism by embedding credentials directly into the software code rather than implementing dynamic authentication processes. Such implementation patterns are particularly dangerous in medical environments where devices may be deployed in areas with limited physical security controls and where network access might be shared across multiple users or systems. The unspecified nature of attack vectors suggests that multiple pathways could be exploited, potentially including network-based attacks, man-in-the-middle scenarios, or even social engineering approaches that leverage the predictable credential structure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to encompass significant risks to patient safety and healthcare delivery. Remote attackers with access to the system could potentially modify medication dosages, alter treatment protocols, or disable critical safety mechanisms within the PCA infusion system. This represents a direct threat to patient care quality and could result in medication errors, over-dosing, or under-dosing scenarios that may lead to serious health complications or fatalities. The vulnerability also creates risks for healthcare organizations regarding regulatory compliance, particularly with regard to hipaa requirements for protecting patient health information and the broader cybersecurity framework established by the fda for medical device security. Additionally, unauthorized access could enable attackers to gather sensitive patient data, potentially leading to identity theft or other malicious activities.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term security architecture improvements. Healthcare organizations should prioritize immediate deployment of the vendor-provided patch to upgrade the system to version 7.0 or later, which eliminates the hardcoded credentials issue. System administrators should implement comprehensive network segmentation to isolate medical devices from general network traffic, reducing the attack surface available to potential attackers. Regular security assessments should be conducted to identify similar hardcoded credential implementations in other medical devices within the healthcare environment. The implementation of network monitoring solutions specifically designed for medical device environments can help detect unauthorized access attempts or unusual network behavior that might indicate exploitation of this vulnerability. Organizations should also establish robust incident response procedures that include specific protocols for medical device security incidents, ensuring that any compromise of patient care systems can be rapidly identified and addressed. This vulnerability highlights the importance of adhering to security best practices such as those outlined in the nist cybersecurity framework and demonstrates the critical need for continuous security monitoring and vulnerability management in healthcare environments where device security directly impacts patient safety and regulatory compliance requirements.