CVE-2015-3953 in Plum A+ Infusion System
Summary
by MITRE
Hard-coded accounts may be used to access Hospira Plum A+ Infusion System version 13.4 and prior, Plum A+3 Infusion System version 13.6 and prior, and Symbiq Infusion System, version 3.13 and prior. Hospira recommends that customers close Port 20/FTP and Port 23/TELNET on the affected devices. Hospira has also released the Plum 360 Infusion System which is not vulnerable to this issue.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/07/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-3953 represents a critical security flaw in medical infusion systems manufactured by Hospira, specifically affecting the Plum A+ Infusion System versions 13.4 and earlier, Plum A+3 Infusion System versions 13.6 and earlier, and Symbiq Infusion System version 3.13 and earlier. This issue stems from the presence of hard-coded administrative accounts within the device firmware, creating persistent access points that remain unchanged regardless of system updates or security configurations. The flaw directly violates security best practices and represents a significant weakness in the device's authentication mechanism, as these accounts are embedded within the system software rather than being dynamically generated or properly secured.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves hardcoded credentials that are pre-configured within the device's operating system or firmware, typically stored in configuration files or memory locations that cannot be modified through standard administrative procedures. These accounts often possess elevated privileges and can be exploited by unauthorized users who discover or guess the default credentials, providing them with administrative access to the system. The persistence of these accounts across system versions and updates makes them particularly dangerous as they represent a baseline security risk that cannot be resolved through normal patching procedures, creating a permanent backdoor into the medical device infrastructure.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses severe risks to healthcare environments where these infusion systems are deployed, as unauthorized access to such critical medical equipment could potentially compromise patient safety and data integrity. The ability to access these systems through hardcoded accounts means that attackers could potentially modify infusion rates, access patient data, or disrupt critical medical processes. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-798, which specifically addresses the use of hard-coded credentials in software applications, and represents a significant concern within the healthcare industry where device security is paramount. The attack surface is further expanded by the fact that these systems are typically connected to hospital networks, potentially enabling lateral movement attacks that could compromise broader healthcare IT infrastructures.
The recommended mitigation strategy provided by Hospira involves network-level security controls, specifically recommending that customers close ports 20/FTP and 23/TELNET on affected devices to prevent remote exploitation of these hardcoded accounts. This approach addresses the vulnerability at the network boundary level, effectively blocking the primary attack vectors that would allow unauthorized users to access the system through these hardcoded credentials. However, this mitigation requires network administrators to properly configure firewall rules and access control lists, which may not always be implemented correctly in healthcare environments where network complexity and legacy system integration can create challenges for security implementation. The release of the Plum 360 Infusion System as a non-vulnerable alternative demonstrates that the manufacturer recognized this weakness and has since implemented proper credential management and authentication mechanisms in newer device generations. This vulnerability also relates to ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and credential access, highlighting the importance of proper account management and the risks associated with hardcoded credentials in medical device security.
The broader implications of this vulnerability extend beyond individual device security to encompass healthcare cybersecurity practices and regulatory compliance requirements. Medical devices that contain hardcoded credentials present ongoing security risks that require continuous monitoring and management, as these accounts remain viable access points even after system updates or security patches have been applied. Healthcare organizations must implement comprehensive device inventory management and regular security assessments to identify and remediate such vulnerabilities across their entire medical device ecosystem, particularly in environments where patient safety and data protection are paramount considerations.