CVE-2018-17906 in iSite
Summary
by MITRE
Philips iSite and IntelliSpace PACS, iSite PACS, all versions, and IntelliSpace PACS, all versions. Default credentials and no authentication within third party software may allow an attacker to compromise a component of the system.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/14/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-17906 affects Philips iSite and IntelliSpace PACS systems across all versions, representing a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity of medical imaging infrastructure. These systems serve as essential components in healthcare environments where patient data and medical images are stored, processed, and managed. The vulnerability stems from the improper implementation of authentication mechanisms within third-party software components integrated into the PACS ecosystem, creating an exploitable entry point for malicious actors seeking unauthorized access to sensitive medical information.
This security weakness manifests through the presence of default credentials and the complete absence of authentication requirements within specific third-party software modules. The flaw allows attackers to compromise system components without proper authorization, effectively bypassing the security controls that should protect patient medical records and imaging data. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects core components of the PACS infrastructure that handle critical healthcare information, making it an attractive target for cybercriminals seeking to access sensitive patient data or disrupt healthcare operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it creates potential pathways for more sophisticated attacks within healthcare networks. Attackers could leverage the compromised components to establish persistent access, escalate privileges, or use the system as a launchpad for lateral movement throughout the healthcare infrastructure. This represents a significant risk to healthcare organizations that rely on these systems for patient care delivery, as the compromise could lead to data breaches, system disruptions, or even patient safety risks if medical imaging systems become unavailable or manipulated.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-798, which addresses the use of hard-coded credentials, and represents a classic example of inadequate authentication implementation. The flaw demonstrates poor security practices in software development and deployment, where default credentials are not properly changed or removed, and authentication mechanisms are either missing or insufficiently implemented. Organizations should consider this vulnerability in relation to ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and privilege escalation, as attackers can exploit these default credentials to gain unauthorized access to system components.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-17906 require immediate action from healthcare organizations to address the default credential exposure. System administrators must conduct comprehensive audits of all third-party software components within the PACS environment to identify and remediate any instances of default credentials. The recommended approach includes implementing strong authentication mechanisms, changing default passwords to complex, unique credentials, and ensuring that all third-party software modules are properly configured with appropriate access controls. Additionally, organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to PACS systems and establish monitoring controls to detect unauthorized access attempts. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar issues in other healthcare systems and prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in the future.