CVE-2017-13993 in SmartLog Diabetes Management Software
Summary
by MITRE
An Uncontrolled Search Path or Element issue was discovered in i-SENS SmartLog Diabetes Management Software, Version 2.4.0 and prior versions. An uncontrolled search path element vulnerability has been identified which could be exploited by placing a specially crafted DLL file in the search path. If the malicious DLL is loaded prior to the valid DLL, an attacker could execute arbitrary code on the system. This vulnerability does not affect the connected blood glucose monitor and would not impact delivery of therapy to the patient.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/15/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2017-13993 represents a critical uncontrolled search path issue within the i-SENS SmartLog Diabetes Management Software, specifically affecting versions 2.4.0 and earlier. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-427 category, which defines uncontrolled search path elements as a condition where a program searches for files in a path that includes user-controllable elements without proper validation. The software's design flaw allows for potential code execution through malicious DLL injection, creating a significant security risk for healthcare environments where patient data and medical device integrity are paramount. The vulnerability exists because the application does not properly validate or sanitize the search paths used to locate dynamic link libraries, enabling attackers to manipulate the loading order of DLL files through directory traversal or path manipulation techniques.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker places a malicious DLL file in a location that is part of the application's search path before the legitimate DLL files. This creates a condition where the system loads the attacker-controlled DLL instead of the intended valid DLL, effectively allowing arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the running process. The attack vector specifically targets the software's dynamic loading mechanism, leveraging the Windows DLL search order behavior where the system looks for DLLs in a predetermined sequence including the current working directory, system directories, and PATH environment variables. The vulnerability does not directly impact the connected blood glucose monitor hardware or therapy delivery systems, but it does represent a potential entry point for attackers to compromise the software environment and potentially access sensitive patient information or manipulate the software's functionality.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to healthcare organizations using the i-SENS SmartLog software, as it could enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to diabetes management systems that store sensitive patient health information. The attack requires local system access or the ability to place malicious files in directories accessible to the application, making it particularly concerning in shared or networked environments where multiple users may have access to the system. The vulnerability's impact is elevated due to the healthcare context, where system integrity and patient safety are critical factors. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.001 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell) and T1546.008 (Event Triggered Execution: Registry Run Keys), as attackers could potentially leverage the code execution capability to establish persistence or escalate privileges within the healthcare network. The vulnerability also relates to T1068 (Local Privilege Escalation) and T1566 (Phishing) as attackers might use the compromised system to launch further attacks against other networked devices or users.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper DLL loading practices and ensuring that applications use absolute paths for dynamic library loading rather than relying on potentially compromised search paths. System administrators should apply the vendor-provided patches or updates immediately upon availability, as the software vendor has likely addressed the issue through proper path validation and secure DLL loading mechanisms. Additional protective measures include implementing application whitelisting policies, restricting write permissions to application directories, and monitoring for suspicious DLL loading activities using endpoint detection and response tools. The principle of least privilege should be enforced, ensuring that the diabetes management software runs with minimal required permissions and that the system's PATH environment variable is properly configured to prevent loading of untrusted DLLs from arbitrary locations. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit the potential impact of a successful exploitation, and regular security assessments should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in other healthcare applications and systems.