CVE-2017-12720 in Medfusion 4000 Wireless Syringe Infusion Pump
Summary
by MITRE
An Improper Access Control issue was discovered in Smiths Medical Medfusion 4000 Wireless Syringe Infusion Pump, Version 1.1, 1.5, and 1.6. The FTP server on the pump does not require authentication if the pump is configured to allow FTP connections.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/05/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-12720 represents a critical improper access control flaw within Smiths Medical Medfusion 4000 Wireless Syringe Infusion Pump firmware versions 1.1, 1.5, and 1.6. This issue stems from the device's FTP server configuration which fails to enforce authentication requirements when the pump is set to permit FTP connections. The flaw creates a significant security gap that allows unauthorized access to the medical device's file transfer capabilities without proper credentials, fundamentally undermining the device's security posture.
This vulnerability falls under the CWE-284 access control weakness category, specifically addressing improper access control mechanisms that permit unauthorized users to access sensitive system resources. The technical implementation flaw occurs at the network service level where the FTP server component lacks authentication enforcement, creating an unauthenticated access point that could be exploited by malicious actors. The issue is particularly concerning given that the device operates in healthcare environments where patient safety and data integrity are paramount. The absence of authentication requirements for the FTP server means that any network entity with access to the device's network interface can potentially establish connections and transfer files to or from the pump.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to encompass potential patient safety risks and data compromise. An attacker who gains access to the FTP server could modify critical pump configurations, alter medication dosing parameters, or access sensitive patient data stored on the device. This represents a significant threat to medical device security and patient care continuity. The vulnerability affects wireless syringe infusion pumps that are commonly deployed in hospital settings, intensive care units, and other critical care environments where device reliability and security are essential. The exploitation of this flaw could lead to unauthorized modification of pump settings, potentially resulting in medication administration errors that could cause serious harm or death to patients.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate network-level protections and device configuration updates. Organizations should implement network segmentation to isolate medical devices from general network traffic, deploy network access control lists to restrict FTP access to authorized personnel only, and ensure that FTP services are disabled when not actively required for maintenance operations. The device manufacturers should provide firmware updates that enforce authentication requirements for all network services, including FTP access. Security teams should also implement continuous monitoring of network traffic for unauthorized FTP connections and establish strict access control policies that require multi-factor authentication for any device management activities. This vulnerability highlights the importance of applying the principle of least privilege to medical devices and demonstrates how seemingly minor configuration flaws can create significant security risks in healthcare environments. The issue aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol usage and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security controls around medical device network services.