CVE-2015-1012 in LifeCare PCA Infusion System
Summary
by MITRE
Wireless keys are stored in plain text on version 5 of the Hospira LifeCare PCA Infusion System. According to Hospira, version 3 of the LifeCare PCA Infusion System is not indicated for wireless use, is not shipped with wireless capabilities, and should not be modified to be used in a wireless capacity in a clinical setting. Hospira has developed a new version of the PCS Infusion System, version 7.0 that addresses the identified vulnerabilities. Version 7.0 has Port 20/FTP and Port 23/TELNET closed by default to prevent unauthorized access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/19/2020
The Hospira LifeCare PCA Infusion System represents a critical medical device used in patient care settings for delivering precise medication doses through patient-controlled analgesia protocols. This system operates in healthcare environments where security and data integrity are paramount for patient safety and regulatory compliance. The vulnerability identified in version 5 of the system specifically addresses a fundamental flaw in how wireless authentication credentials are managed within the device's configuration. When the system operates in wireless mode, it stores wireless keys in plain text format, creating a significant security risk that directly violates industry standards for protecting sensitive information in medical devices. This weakness arises from poor cryptographic practices and inadequate security controls that fail to meet the minimum requirements for healthcare information systems.
The technical flaw manifests as a clear text storage vulnerability that allows unauthorized individuals with physical access to the device to extract wireless authentication credentials simply by examining the system's configuration files. This vulnerability creates a direct pathway for attackers to gain unauthorized access to the wireless network infrastructure that the infusion system connects to, potentially enabling them to manipulate medication delivery parameters or access other connected medical devices. The plain text storage of wireless keys directly maps to CWE-312, which specifically addresses the exposure of sensitive information through improper handling of credentials. This vulnerability represents a critical failure in the system's security architecture, as it eliminates the need for complex attack vectors that would normally be required to compromise such medical devices. The flaw is particularly concerning because it affects devices that operate in clinical environments where patient safety is paramount and where unauthorized access could result in serious harm or death.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to encompass potential patient safety risks and regulatory compliance violations. Healthcare facilities using affected versions of the Hospira LifeCare PCA Infusion System face significant risks including unauthorized modification of patient medication protocols, potential data breaches involving sensitive patient information, and the possibility of attackers using the compromised device as a foothold for accessing other networked medical equipment. The vulnerability creates a pathway for attackers to potentially disrupt critical patient care operations or manipulate medication delivery timing, which could result in underdosing or overdosing scenarios. From an attacker perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004, which involves application layer protocol usage for command and control communications. The plain text storage makes the system particularly susceptible to credential theft attacks, which could be leveraged for lateral movement within healthcare networks. Regulatory compliance becomes a significant concern as this vulnerability directly impacts HIPAA requirements for protecting patient health information and demonstrates inadequate security controls for medical devices.
Hospira's response to this vulnerability demonstrates appropriate remediation through the development of version 7.0 of the PCS Infusion System, which implements proper security controls by closing ports 20/FTP and 23/TELNET by default. This remediation addresses the core architectural flaw by eliminating the attack surface that enabled unauthorized access through these services. The closing of these ports represents a fundamental security improvement that prevents the exploitation of known vulnerabilities associated with unsecured network services. The implementation of this security measure aligns with industry best practices for securing medical devices and demonstrates proper vulnerability management. However, the remediation process also highlights the importance of proper device lifecycle management in healthcare environments, where older versions of medical systems may continue to operate despite known security vulnerabilities. This case study serves as a critical reminder of the need for regular security assessments and updates in healthcare environments, where the stakes for device security are exceptionally high due to the potential impact on patient safety and regulatory compliance requirements. The vulnerability also underscores the necessity for medical device manufacturers to implement proper security controls from the initial design phase rather than addressing issues through post-release patches.