CVE-2016-5086 in Animas OneTouch Ping
Summary
by MITRE
Johnson & Johnson Animas OneTouch Ping devices allow remote attackers to bypass authentication via replay attacks.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/03/2024
The Johnson & Johnson Animas OneTouch Ping insulin pump device represents a critical healthcare IoT vulnerability classified as CVE-2016-5086, where remote attackers can exploit authentication bypass mechanisms through replay attack techniques. This vulnerability specifically affects the wireless communication protocols implemented in the medical device, creating a significant security risk for diabetic patients who rely on these life-saving devices for insulin management. The flaw stems from insufficient cryptographic validation of transmitted data, allowing malicious actors to capture and reuse valid communication sequences without proper authentication credentials.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the device's wireless communication stack, which fails to properly validate the freshness and authenticity of received data packets. According to CWE-310, this represents a weakness in cryptographic key management and authentication mechanisms where the device does not adequately verify that communication messages are fresh and originate from legitimate sources. The replay attack vector exploits the absence of proper timestamp validation or sequence number checking within the device's protocol implementation, enabling attackers to capture legitimate command sequences and replay them at a later time to execute unauthorized operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it directly threatens patient safety and medical device integrity. Healthcare organizations and patients face significant risks when medical devices can be remotely compromised through authentication bypass techniques, potentially leading to unauthorized insulin dosing, device malfunction, or complete device takeover. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under initial access and privilege escalation tactics, where adversaries can establish persistent control over critical medical infrastructure without proper authorization. The remote nature of the attack means that threat actors can exploit this vulnerability from anywhere with radio frequency access, making it particularly dangerous in healthcare environments where device security is paramount.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-5086 should focus on implementing proper cryptographic validation mechanisms including message authentication codes, timestamp validation, and sequence number tracking within the device communication protocols. Healthcare organizations must conduct comprehensive risk assessments of their connected medical devices and implement network segmentation to isolate critical medical equipment from general network access. Device manufacturers should ensure proper firmware updates are deployed to address authentication weaknesses, while healthcare providers should establish strict protocols for monitoring device communications and detecting anomalous behavior patterns. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure-by-design principles in medical device development and underscores the necessity of robust authentication mechanisms in healthcare IoT ecosystems to prevent unauthorized access to life-critical systems.