CVE-2016-6532 in Imaging Suite
Summary
by MITRE
DEXIS Imaging Suite 10 has a hardcoded password for the sa account, which allows remote attackers to obtain administrative access by entering this password in a DEXIS_DATA SQL Server session.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/02/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-6532 represents a critical security flaw in the DEXIS Imaging Suite 10 software, specifically targeting the database authentication mechanism. This issue stems from a fundamental design weakness where the system employs a hardcoded password for the SQL Server sa account, creating an inherent backdoor that bypasses normal authentication procedures. The vulnerability exists within the database configuration of the imaging suite, which is commonly used in medical imaging environments for storing and managing patient diagnostic data. The hardcoded credential presents a severe risk because it remains unchanged regardless of security policies or password rotation requirements, effectively providing persistent access to the database infrastructure.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a straightforward but highly effective attack vector. Remote attackers need only establish a connection to the DEXIS_DATA SQL Server session and utilize the predetermined password to authenticate as the system administrator. This method of exploitation requires no advanced techniques or specialized tools beyond basic network connectivity and SQL Server client access. The flaw directly violates fundamental security principles by embedding authentication credentials within the application code rather than implementing proper authentication mechanisms. This approach creates a permanent access point that remains valid across system restarts, updates, or security patches, making it particularly dangerous for environments where system integrity is paramount.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, creating significant risks for medical data security and regulatory compliance. Healthcare organizations using DEXIS Imaging Suite 10 face potential exposure of sensitive patient information, including diagnostic images and personal health records, which could be accessed by unauthorized parties. The vulnerability directly impacts the confidentiality and integrity of medical data, potentially violating regulations such as HIPAA in the United States or similar data protection laws in other jurisdictions. Additionally, the presence of a hardcoded password creates a persistent threat vector that remains active even after security updates or system modifications, requiring complete system reinstallation or database reconfiguration to fully remediate the issue. This vulnerability also enables attackers to potentially escalate privileges, modify database contents, or even establish persistent backdoors within the medical imaging infrastructure.
The security implications of this flaw align with CWE-798, which addresses the use of hardcoded credentials in software applications, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1046 for network service scanning. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including changing all hardcoded passwords, implementing proper database access controls, and conducting comprehensive security audits of all embedded credentials. The recommended remediation involves complete system reinstallation with proper authentication configuration, database password rotation, and implementation of multi-factor authentication mechanisms. Security teams should also consider network segmentation to limit database access and implement monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized database connections. This vulnerability serves as a stark reminder of the importance of proper credential management and the dangers of embedded authentication mechanisms in enterprise software deployments.