CVE-2016-5085 in Animas OneTouch Ping
Summary
by MITRE
Johnson & Johnson Animas OneTouch Ping devices do not properly generate random numbers, which makes it easier for remote attackers to spoof meters by sniffing the network and then engaging in an authentication handshake.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/03/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-5085 affects Johnson & Johnson Animas OneTouch Ping insulin pump devices, representing a critical weakness in the cryptographic implementation of these medical devices. These devices are used by diabetic patients for continuous glucose monitoring and insulin delivery, making their security paramount to patient safety. The flaw specifically resides in the device's inability to properly generate random numbers during the authentication process, creating predictable patterns that adversaries can exploit to gain unauthorized access to the medical device network. This vulnerability falls under the category of weak cryptographic randomness as classified by CWE-330, which directly impacts the integrity and confidentiality of medical device communications.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the use of predictable or insufficiently random numbers in the authentication handshake process between the insulin pump and its associated monitoring devices. When devices attempt to establish secure communication, they rely on random number generation to create unique session identifiers and cryptographic keys. However, the Animas OneTouch Ping devices utilize a flawed random number generator that produces sequences with insufficient entropy, allowing attackers to predict or reproduce the necessary authentication parameters. This weakness enables remote attackers to perform man-in-the-middle attacks by simply sniffing network traffic to capture authentication exchanges and then replaying or manipulating these communications to impersonate legitimate devices.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it creates potential pathways for malicious actors to compromise patient care and safety. An attacker who successfully spoofs an insulin pump can potentially manipulate insulin delivery rates, disable alerts, or cause the device to malfunction during critical periods. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries do not require physical access to the device, making the vulnerability particularly concerning for medical environments where device security is paramount. This weakness directly violates the principles of authentication and authorization as outlined in the NIST SP 800-53 security framework, where proper random number generation is essential for maintaining secure communications in healthcare environments.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate action from healthcare providers and device manufacturers to address the underlying cryptographic weaknesses. The most effective approach involves implementing proper random number generation algorithms that meet industry standards such as those specified in NIST SP 800-90A for cryptographic random number generation. Device manufacturers should also consider implementing additional layers of authentication beyond the current handshake mechanism, such as mutual authentication protocols or hardware-based security modules that can provide stronger cryptographic guarantees. Organizations should conduct comprehensive risk assessments of their medical device networks and implement network segmentation to limit the potential impact of such attacks. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of secure device lifecycle management and regular security updates as recommended by the MITRE ATT&CK framework for medical device security, where the lack of proper random number generation represents a fundamental weakness that can be exploited across multiple attack vectors.