CVE-2017-12718 in Medfusion 4000 Wireless Syringe Infusion Pump
Summary
by MITRE
A Classic Buffer Overflow issue was discovered in Smiths Medical Medfusion 4000 Wireless Syringe Infusion Pump, Version 1.1, 1.5, and 1.6. A third-party component used in the pump does not verify input buffer size prior to copying, leading to a buffer overflow, allowing remote code execution on the target device. The pump receives the potentially malicious input infrequently and under certain conditions, increasing the difficulty of exploitation.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/24/2024
The CVE-2017-12718 vulnerability represents a critical classic buffer overflow flaw within Smiths Medical Medfusion 4000 Wireless Syringe Infusion Pump firmware versions 1.1, 1.5, and 1.6. This vulnerability resides in a third-party component that fails to perform proper input validation before copying data into fixed-size buffers, creating an exploitable condition that can lead to complete system compromise. The affected device operates in healthcare environments where patient safety is paramount, making this vulnerability particularly concerning from both security and medical device safety perspectives. The buffer overflow occurs when the device processes incoming data that exceeds the allocated buffer space, potentially allowing attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations and execute arbitrary code on the target system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation practices within the third-party component that handles data processing for the infusion pump's wireless communication functionality. According to CWE-121, this vulnerability maps directly to classic stack-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite stack canaries, return addresses, or other critical memory segments. The specific nature of the flaw means that when malicious input is received through the wireless communication channel, the system fails to verify that the incoming data fits within the predetermined buffer limits before copying operations occur. This condition creates a predictable exploitation window where attackers can craft payloads that overwrite critical program execution flow, potentially enabling remote code execution without requiring physical access to the device.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-12718 extends beyond typical cybersecurity concerns into critical patient safety implications within healthcare delivery systems. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers could potentially compromise infusion pumps from external network locations, directly affecting patient medication delivery and dosing accuracy. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to multiple techniques including T1059 for command and scripting interpreter execution, T1071 for application layer protocol usage, and T1105 for remote access tool deployment. The infrequent occurrence of the vulnerable input processing condition complicates exploitation but does not eliminate the risk, as healthcare facilities often maintain wireless networks with varying security postures that could provide attack vectors. Medical device security frameworks such as those outlined in IEC 62401 and NIST SP 800-82 emphasize the importance of addressing such vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure devices.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate firmware updates from Smiths Medical, as the root cause lies within the third-party component that requires patching by the vendor. Healthcare organizations should implement network segmentation to isolate critical medical devices from general network traffic, employing firewalls and access controls to limit wireless communication to authorized endpoints only. The vulnerability's exploitation difficulty can be addressed through network monitoring and anomaly detection systems that can identify unusual communication patterns from infusion pumps. Additionally, implementing secure configuration management practices including disabling unnecessary wireless services, enforcing strong authentication mechanisms, and maintaining detailed inventory records of all connected medical devices helps reduce the attack surface. Organizations should also consider implementing device integrity monitoring solutions that can detect unauthorized modifications to device firmware and alert security personnel to potential compromise attempts.