CVE-2018-14803 in e-Alert Unit
Summary
by MITRE
Philips e-Alert Unit (non-medical device), Version R2.1 and prior. The Philips e-Alert contains a banner disclosure vulnerability that could allow attackers to obtain extraneous product information, such as OS and software components, via the HTTP response header that is normally not available to the attacker, but might be useful information in an attack.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/27/2020
The Philips e-Alert Unit represents a critical vulnerability in non-medical device security architecture that exposes sensitive system information through improper HTTP response header handling. This device, designed for patient monitoring and alert systems, operates within healthcare environments where information disclosure can have severe implications for both patient safety and cybersecurity posture. The vulnerability specifically affects firmware versions R2.1 and earlier, indicating a widespread issue across multiple deployments that could potentially compromise entire healthcare networks. The banner disclosure vulnerability allows unauthorized parties to extract operating system details, software component versions, and other system metadata that should remain hidden from external access.
The technical flaw manifests in the device's HTTP response handling mechanism where server banners and header information inadvertently reveal system identification details including operating system type, version numbers, and potentially vulnerable software components. This information disclosure occurs through standard HTTP response headers that typically should not expose such granular system information to external entities. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output sanitization within the web server implementation, allowing attackers to gather intelligence that could inform subsequent exploitation attempts. According to CWE-200, this represents a direct violation of information hiding principles where system information is exposed beyond necessary operational requirements.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to create potential attack vectors for more sophisticated exploitation. Attackers who obtain this system information can tailor subsequent attacks to target specific vulnerabilities associated with the disclosed operating system and software versions. The exposure of software component details enables threat actors to identify known vulnerabilities and exploits that may be applicable to the affected system. In healthcare environments, this information disclosure could facilitate targeted attacks against medical device networks, potentially compromising patient monitoring systems and creating opportunities for data breaches or system disruption. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1082, which covers system information discovery, and T1068, which involves exploit for privilege escalation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate firmware updates from Philips to address the banner disclosure issue and implement proper HTTP response header sanitization. Organizations should conduct comprehensive network assessments to identify all affected e-Alert Units and ensure proper patch management protocols are in place. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to these devices and limit potential attack surface. Additionally, security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual access patterns or attempts to gather system information from these devices. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar information disclosure vulnerabilities in other medical devices within the healthcare network. The implementation of secure configuration management practices and regular security audits can help prevent similar issues from arising in future deployments.