CVE-2015-2898 in MEDCIN Engine
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple stack-based buffer overflows in Medicomp MEDCIN Engine before 2.22.20153.226 might allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted packet on port 8190, related to (1) the SetGroupSequenceEx na_setgroupsequenceex function, (2) the FormatDate julptostr function, and (3) the UserFindingCodes addtocl function.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/07/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-2898 represents a critical security flaw in the Medicomp MEDCIN Engine software, specifically affecting versions prior to 2.22.20153.226. This issue manifests as multiple stack-based buffer overflows that create exploitable conditions within the application's network handling mechanisms. The affected software operates on port 8190, making it accessible to remote attackers who can craft malicious packets to exploit these vulnerabilities. The presence of three distinct functions within the codebase that exhibit buffer overflow characteristics significantly increases the attack surface and potential impact of this vulnerability.
The technical implementation of these buffer overflows occurs within three specific functions: SetGroupSequenceEx na_setgroupsequenceex, FormatDate julptostr, and UserFindingCodes addtocl. These functions process data from network packets without adequate bounds checking or input validation, allowing attackers to overflow the allocated stack memory buffers. When the malicious data exceeds the buffer limits, it can overwrite adjacent memory locations including return addresses and function pointers, potentially enabling arbitrary code execution. The stack-based nature of these overflows means that attackers can manipulate the program's execution flow by carefully crafting input data that overwrites the instruction pointer or other critical memory segments.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-2898 is severe and far-reaching, as it enables remote code execution capabilities that could allow attackers to gain complete control over affected systems. This vulnerability directly violates the principle of input validation and memory safety, creating opportunities for privilege escalation and persistent access to networked medical systems. The fact that these functions handle date formatting and user finding codes suggests that the attack could potentially affect patient data processing and medical record management systems. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which is a fundamental memory safety issue that has been a primary target for exploitation in numerous security incidents. This vulnerability can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1068 for Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, as successful exploitation would enable attackers to execute arbitrary commands and potentially escalate privileges within the compromised system.
The remediation strategy for this vulnerability requires immediate patching of the Medicomp MEDCIN Engine to version 2.22.20153.226 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the buffer overflow conditions. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to isolate affected systems from critical network zones and monitor port 8190 traffic for suspicious activity. Additionally, the implementation of network intrusion detection systems and regular vulnerability assessments should be enhanced to identify similar issues in other medical devices and applications. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure coding practices, particularly around buffer management and input validation, especially in healthcare environments where system compromise could have life-threatening consequences. System administrators should also consider implementing network access controls to limit who can access port 8190 and regularly review system logs for potential exploitation attempts.