CVE-2018-14786 in Alaris GS
Summary
by MITRE
Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD) Alaris Plus medical syringe pumps (models Alaris GS, Alaris GH, Alaris CC, and Alaris TIVA) versions 2.3.6 and prior are affected by an improper authentication vulnerability where the software does not perform authentication for functionality that requires a provable user identity, where it may allow a remote attacker to gain unauthorized access to various Alaris Syringe pumps and impact the intended operation of the pump when it is connected to a terminal server via the serial port.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/17/2020
The CVE-2018-14786 vulnerability represents a critical improper authentication flaw in BD Alaris Plus medical syringe pumps, specifically affecting models including Alaris GS, Alaris GH, Alaris CC, and Alaris TIVA running software versions 2.3.6 and earlier. This vulnerability resides in the pump's security architecture where the device fails to properly authenticate users attempting to access critical functionality that requires verified user identity. The flaw is particularly concerning given the medical environment where these devices operate, as they directly control medication delivery to patients and can be life-critical. The vulnerability specifically impacts devices connected to terminal servers via serial port connections, creating a pathway for remote attackers to exploit the authentication gap without proper credentials.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the device's failure to enforce proper authentication mechanisms for administrative and operational functions within the pump's software interface. When a user attempts to access certain pump functionalities, the system should validate the user's identity through proper authentication protocols before granting access. However, the Alaris Plus pumps do not perform this validation, allowing unauthorized individuals to potentially manipulate pump settings, modify drug delivery rates, or access sensitive operational parameters. The vulnerability's remote exploitability through serial port connections means attackers can potentially compromise the device from distant locations, particularly when the pump is connected to terminal servers or networked environments.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it can fundamentally compromise patient safety and medical device integrity. Medical syringe pumps control the precise delivery of medications, anesthetics, and other critical substances directly into patient bloodstream. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability could potentially alter pump settings to deliver incorrect dosages, pause or resume drug delivery at inappropriate times, or even completely disable the pump functionality. The consequences could range from treatment delays to severe medication errors, potentially resulting in patient harm or death. The vulnerability also poses risks to healthcare facility operations, as unauthorized modifications to pump settings could compromise treatment protocols and create liability issues for medical institutions.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-287, which addresses improper authentication issues in software systems. The flaw demonstrates a classic security misconfiguration where authentication controls are either absent or improperly implemented, allowing unauthorized access to privileged functions. The ATT&CK framework would categorize this vulnerability under privilege escalation and defense evasion techniques, as attackers could leverage the authentication bypass to gain elevated access rights and potentially move laterally within healthcare network environments. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including firmware updates from BD, network segmentation to isolate medical devices, and enhanced monitoring of serial port communications to detect unauthorized access attempts.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-14786 should include immediate firmware upgrades to versions that properly implement authentication mechanisms, network isolation of affected devices to prevent remote exploitation, and implementation of network monitoring solutions specifically designed to detect anomalous serial port communications. Healthcare organizations must also establish robust device management protocols, including regular security assessments of medical equipment and comprehensive incident response procedures for potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the critical need for proper security testing of medical devices before deployment, particularly given the potential for life-threatening consequences when such flaws exist in patient care equipment. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments of medical device networks remain essential for maintaining patient safety and regulatory compliance in healthcare environments.