CVE-2017-14111 in IntelliSpace Cardiovascular
Summary
by MITRE
The workstation logging function in Philips IntelliSpace Cardiovascular (ISCV) 2.3.0 and earlier and Xcelera R4.1L1 and earlier records domain authentication credentials, which if accessed allows an attacker to use credentials to access the application, or other user entitlements.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/08/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-14111 represents a critical security flaw in Philips IntelliSpace Cardiovascular (ISCV) systems and Xcelera platforms, where workstation logging functions inadvertently capture and store domain authentication credentials. This issue affects versions 2.3.0 and earlier of ISCV and R4.1L1 and earlier of Xcelera, creating a significant risk for healthcare organizations that rely on these cardiovascular imaging and information systems. The flaw stems from improper credential handling within the logging mechanisms, which contradicts established security practices for protecting sensitive authentication data. According to CWE-546, this vulnerability falls under the category of "Use of Obsolete Functions" and specifically relates to insecure credential storage, making it particularly dangerous for environments where patient data and medical records are processed. The presence of domain credentials in plaintext logs creates an attack surface that directly violates security principles outlined in the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and ISO/IEC 27001 standards, which emphasize the protection of authentication information.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the logging subsystem capturing user authentication tokens and credentials during workstation sessions without proper sanitization or encryption. When attackers gain access to these log files, either through direct file system access, network interception, or privilege escalation attacks, they can extract domain credentials that provide unauthorized access to the affected applications and potentially to other systems within the network. This credential exposure enables attackers to perform lateral movement within the healthcare network, access sensitive medical information, and potentially compromise additional systems that share authentication domains. The flaw operates at the application level and can be exploited through various attack vectors including unauthorized physical access to systems, compromised user accounts, or network-based attacks that target the logging infrastructure. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques such as credential access through file system enumeration and privilege escalation, while also enabling persistence and lateral movement tactics.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, creating risks for patient safety, regulatory compliance, and organizational security. Healthcare organizations face potential violations of HIPAA regulations and other privacy laws when authentication credentials are exposed in log files, as these systems typically handle highly sensitive patient information. The vulnerability creates a persistent threat vector that remains active until patched, as attackers can reuse stolen credentials for extended periods without detection. Organizations may experience service disruption, increased security monitoring requirements, and potential regulatory penalties. The risk is amplified in healthcare environments where systems often operate in isolated networks but still require authentication with domain controllers, making the credential exposure particularly damaging. Additionally, the vulnerability demonstrates poor security design practices that can affect the overall security posture of medical institutions, potentially leading to cascading effects when attackers use stolen credentials to access connected systems or databases.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-14111 should include immediate patching of affected systems to versions that address the credential logging vulnerability, implementation of proper log file access controls and encryption, and establishment of monitoring procedures to detect unauthorized access to log files. Organizations should enforce principle of least privilege for log file access, implement file integrity monitoring solutions, and configure logging systems to avoid storing sensitive authentication information. Network segmentation and intrusion detection systems can help identify unauthorized access attempts to log files, while regular security audits should verify that credential information is not being stored in plaintext within application logs. The remediation process should also include user education on proper authentication practices and the importance of protecting system access. According to industry best practices, organizations should implement comprehensive credential management policies, regularly rotate authentication tokens, and establish incident response procedures for credential exposure events. Additionally, the vulnerability highlights the need for security testing during software development phases to identify and address credential handling issues before deployment, aligning with the security lifecycle approaches recommended by NIST SP 800-34 and ISO/IEC 27005 standards.