CVE-2019-18241 in IntelliBridge EC40
Summary
by MITRE
In Philips IntelliBridge EC40 and EC80, IntelliBridge EC40 Hub all versions, and IntelliBridge EC80 Hub all versions, the SSH server running on the affected products is configured to allow weak ciphers. This could enable an unauthorized attacker with access to the network to capture and replay the session and gain unauthorized access to the EC40/80 hub.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/28/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-18241 affects Philips IntelliBridge EC40 and EC80 medical devices along with their respective hub implementations across all versions. These devices are critical components in healthcare environments where secure communication and data integrity are paramount for patient safety and regulatory compliance. The affected systems operate with SSH (Secure Shell) servers that have been misconfigured to permit the use of weak cryptographic ciphers, creating a significant security risk within medical device networks. This configuration flaw represents a fundamental failure in implementing proper cryptographic security measures that are essential for protecting sensitive medical data and maintaining system integrity.
The technical flaw stems from the SSH server implementation on these medical devices that allows the use of insecure cipher suites, particularly those that have been deprecated due to known cryptographic weaknesses. Weak ciphers such as those using 56-bit encryption or other algorithms that have been compromised through advances in computational power and cryptanalysis techniques create opportunities for attackers to intercept and potentially manipulate communications. The vulnerability specifically impacts the cryptographic negotiation process within the SSH protocol where the server accepts connections using ciphers that have been deemed insufficient for modern security requirements. This misconfiguration allows attackers to downgrade the encryption strength during the initial handshake process, enabling them to capture session data and potentially replay it to gain unauthorized access to the device management interfaces.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to encompass potential compromise of entire medical device networks within healthcare facilities. Attackers who gain access to these devices can potentially manipulate medical device configurations, access patient data, or disrupt critical medical operations. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in healthcare environments where these devices may be connected to critical patient monitoring systems and where network segmentation is often limited or not properly implemented. The risk of replay attacks means that captured session data could be used to authenticate as legitimate users, potentially leading to unauthorized modifications of device settings or access to sensitive medical information. This vulnerability directly impacts the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of medical device communications, creating potential risks for patient safety and regulatory compliance with healthcare security standards.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including disabling weak cipher suites on all affected SSH servers and ensuring that only strong cryptographic algorithms are permitted in the SSH configuration. Network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened to limit access to these devices to authorized personnel only. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar misconfigurations in other networked medical devices. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-327, which addresses the use of weak cryptographic algorithms, and represents a clear violation of security best practices for networked medical devices. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving credential access through network sniffing and session replay attacks, potentially leading to privilege escalation and lateral movement within healthcare network environments. Implementation of proper cryptographic security configurations should follow industry standards such as NIST SP 800-57 and ISO 27001 requirements for secure communications in healthcare environments, ensuring that all networked medical devices maintain adequate security postures to protect patient data and maintain operational integrity.