CVE-2021-28111 in X-Dock
Summary
by MITRE • 05/21/2021
Draeger X-Dock Firmware before 03.00.13 has Hard-Coded Credentials, leading to remote code execution by an authenticated attacker.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/23/2021
The Draeger X-Dock is a medical device used for patient monitoring and data collection in healthcare environments. This device operates as a networked endpoint that communicates with various medical systems and stores sensitive patient information. The firmware version 03.00.13 and earlier contain a critical security flaw where hardcoded credentials are embedded within the device software. These credentials are hardcoded during the manufacturing process and cannot be changed by system administrators or users. The vulnerability exists in the device's authentication mechanism where default usernames and passwords are permanently embedded in the firmware code, creating a persistent security weakness that affects all devices running the vulnerable firmware versions.
The technical implementation of this flaw involves hardcoded authentication credentials that are stored in plain text within the device firmware image. Attackers who can authenticate to the device using these hardcoded credentials can gain elevated privileges and execute arbitrary code on the device. The authentication bypass occurs because the firmware does not properly validate user credentials against a secure credential store, instead relying on hardcoded values that remain unchanged across device deployments. This vulnerability allows an authenticated attacker to escalate privileges from a standard user account to administrative level access, providing complete control over the device's operations and data handling capabilities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe in healthcare environments where patient safety and data integrity are paramount. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can remotely execute code on the device, potentially disrupting critical patient monitoring services, accessing sensitive medical data, or even manipulating device operations that could endanger patient health. The remote code execution capability means that attackers do not need physical access to the device to exploit the vulnerability, as it can be triggered over the network. This creates a significant risk for healthcare organizations that rely on these devices for continuous patient monitoring and data collection.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-798, which specifically addresses the use of hardcoded credentials in software, and represents a critical weakness in authentication mechanisms. From an attack perspective, this flaw maps to multiple MITRE ATT&CK techniques including credential access and privilege escalation. The attack surface is broad as the device typically operates on standard network protocols and may be accessible from multiple network segments within healthcare facilities. Organizations should immediately implement firmware updates to version 03.00.13 or later, which removes the hardcoded credentials. Additionally, network segmentation should be implemented to limit access to these devices, and regular security audits should be conducted to identify any other hardcoded credentials in the device ecosystem. The remediation process must include thorough testing of updated firmware to ensure continued device functionality while eliminating the security risk.