CVE-2018-7498 in Alice 6
Summary
by MITRE
In Philips Alice 6 System version R8.0.2 or prior, the lack of proper data encryption passes up the guarantees of confidentiality, integrity, and accountability that properly implemented encryption conveys.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/17/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-7498 affects the Philips Alice 6 System version R8.0.2 and earlier implementations, representing a critical weakness in the system's data protection mechanisms. This flaw resides in the absence of proper data encryption protocols that should safeguard sensitive information throughout the system's operational lifecycle. The Philips Alice 6 System is designed for use in healthcare environments where patient data confidentiality and system integrity are paramount, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for medical device security. The lack of encryption creates an environment where data transmitted between system components or stored within the device could be intercepted, modified, or accessed by unauthorized parties without detection.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from the system's failure to implement robust encryption standards for data at rest and in transit. This weakness directly violates fundamental security principles that should be inherent in any modern medical device architecture. The absence of proper encryption mechanisms leaves patient records, system configurations, and operational data susceptible to various attack vectors including man-in-the-middle attacks, data exfiltration, and unauthorized system modifications. According to CWE-312, this represents a weakness where sensitive data is improperly protected, and the vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol encryption, where the lack of proper encryption creates opportunities for adversaries to access sensitive information.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as it fundamentally undermines the trustworthiness of the entire healthcare system. Medical environments require strict adherence to data protection standards, and the absence of encryption in the Alice 6 System creates potential pathways for malicious actors to compromise patient privacy and system integrity. Healthcare organizations using this system face significant compliance risks under regulations such as HIPAA, where proper encryption is not just recommended but mandated for protecting patient health information. The vulnerability could enable attackers to manipulate system configurations, access confidential patient data, or potentially disrupt critical healthcare operations that depend on the system's reliability.
Organizations utilizing the Philips Alice 6 System should immediately implement mitigations including network segmentation to limit access to the system, enhanced monitoring for unauthorized access attempts, and consideration of temporary workaround solutions while planning for proper firmware updates. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of cryptographic implementation in medical devices, as outlined in NIST SP 800-57 guidelines for cryptographic key management. System administrators should also implement additional authentication controls and access logging to detect potential exploitation attempts. The remediation process requires careful planning to ensure that firmware updates do not disrupt critical healthcare operations while addressing the underlying encryption deficiencies that make the system vulnerable to exploitation.