CVE-2017-2867 in Xltek NeuroWorks
Summary
by MITRE
An exploitable code execution vulnerability exists in the SavePatientMontage functionality of Natus Xltek NeuroWorks 8. A specially crafted network packet can cause a stack buffer overflow resulting in code execution. An attacker can a malicious packet to trigger this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/27/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-2867 represents a critical stack buffer overflow flaw within the NeuroWorks 8 software suite developed by Natus Xltek, specifically affecting the SavePatientMontage functionality. This software is widely utilized in neurological monitoring and patient data management systems within healthcare environments, making the vulnerability particularly concerning from both security and patient safety perspectives. The flaw resides in how the application processes network packets destined for the SavePatientMontage feature, creating an avenue for remote code execution through malformed input data.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and memory management practices within the NeuroWorks 8 application. When processing network packets intended for the SavePatientMontage function, the software fails to properly bounds-check user-supplied data before copying it into fixed-size stack buffers. This classic buffer overflow condition allows an attacker to overwrite adjacent memory locations including return addresses and control data, effectively enabling arbitrary code execution on the affected system. The vulnerability is classified as a stack-based buffer overflow, which maps directly to CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, and represents a significant weakness in the application's defensive programming practices.
Operationally, this vulnerability presents severe implications for healthcare organizations utilizing NeuroWorks 8 systems, as it allows remote attackers to execute malicious code without authentication requirements. The attack vector requires only the ability to send specially crafted network packets to the vulnerable application, making exploitation relatively straightforward and accessible to threat actors with basic network reconnaissance capabilities. Successful exploitation could result in complete system compromise, data exfiltration, patient information breaches, and potential disruption of critical neurological monitoring services. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond immediate system compromise to include potential regulatory violations under healthcare data protection standards such as HIPAA, given the sensitive nature of patient neurological data handled by the system.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including network segmentation to isolate NeuroWorks 8 systems from untrusted networks, deployment of network intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious packet patterns, and application-level firewall rules to restrict access to affected ports and services. The most effective long-term solution involves applying vendor-provided security patches or upgrading to newer versions of the NeuroWorks software that address the buffer overflow condition. Security teams should also conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments of their medical device infrastructure to identify similar weaknesses in other healthcare applications. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques such as T1203 Exploitation for Client Execution and T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter, representing a critical entry point for adversaries seeking to establish persistent access within healthcare environments. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing endpoint detection and response solutions to monitor for suspicious code execution patterns and potential exploitation attempts targeting medical devices.