CVE-2017-2860 in Xltek NeuroWorks
Summary
by MITRE
An exploitable denial-of-service vulnerability exists in the lookup entry functionality of KeyTrees in Natus Xltek NeuroWorks 8. A specially crafted network packet can cause an out-of-bounds read, resulting in a denial of service. An attacker can send a malicious packet to trigger this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/19/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-2860 represents a critical denial-of-service weakness within the KeyTrees lookup functionality of Natus Xltek NeuroWorks 8 software. This flaw resides in the handling of network packets destined for the NeuroWorks 8 system, specifically when processing lookup entries within the KeyTrees data structure. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and memory boundary checking mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize incoming network data before processing. When a maliciously crafted packet is transmitted to the affected system, the software's lookup entry handler attempts to access memory locations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries, triggering an out-of-bounds read condition that ultimately results in system crash or complete service disruption.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions in software implementations. The flaw manifests when the KeyTrees lookup functionality processes malformed network packets containing oversized or improperly formatted data structures that exceed expected buffer limits. This particular vulnerability operates at the network protocol level where the NeuroWorks 8 application receives and interprets lookup requests from external sources. The system's failure to validate the length and structure of incoming data before performing memory operations creates an exploitable condition that can be remotely triggered by network-based attackers. The out-of-bounds read occurs during the parsing phase of the lookup entry processing, where the software attempts to access memory locations that are not part of the intended data structure, causing unpredictable behavior and system instability.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-2860 extends beyond simple service interruption to potentially compromise the integrity of clinical data processing within medical environments. In healthcare settings where NeuroWorks 8 systems are deployed for neurophysiological monitoring and data acquisition, this vulnerability could result in critical system downtime during patient examinations or diagnostic procedures. The denial-of-service condition affects the availability of the medical device's lookup functionality, which may prevent clinicians from accessing critical patient information or performing necessary diagnostic operations. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can trigger the condition from external networks without requiring physical access to the device, making it particularly dangerous in connected healthcare environments where multiple systems may be exposed to network-based threats.
From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability maps to several ATT&CK tactics including TA0040 (defense evasion) and TA0043 (reconnaissance) as attackers can use this weakness to disrupt services and potentially gather information about system configurations. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that NeuroWorks 8 systems are typically deployed in sensitive medical environments where availability of diagnostic equipment is critical for patient care. Mitigation strategies should include immediate deployment of vendor patches or firmware updates, network segmentation to limit access to the affected system, and implementation of intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious network traffic patterns. Additionally, organizations should consider disabling unnecessary network services and implementing strict access controls to minimize exposure. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and memory safety practices in medical device software development, aligning with industry standards that emphasize secure coding practices to prevent similar out-of-bounds memory access conditions.