CVE-2021-33883 in SpaceCom2
Summary
by MITRE • 08/25/2021
A Cleartext Transmission of Sensitive Information vulnerability in B. Braun SpaceCom2 prior to 012U000062 allows a remote attacker to obtain sensitive information by snooping on the network traffic. The exposed data includes critical values for a pump's internal configuration.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/29/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-33883 represents a critical cleartext transmission flaw within the B. Braun SpaceCom2 medical device communication system. This vulnerability exists in versions prior to 012U000062 and exposes sensitive operational data through unencrypted network communications. The affected device is commonly used in healthcare environments for controlling medical pumps and other critical care equipment, making this exposure particularly concerning from a security perspective. The flaw falls under CWE-312, which specifically addresses cleartext storage and transmission of sensitive information, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol: DNS, though in this case the protocol is likely TCP/IP with unencrypted data transmission. The exposed configuration values include critical parameters that govern pump operation, potentially allowing attackers to manipulate device behavior or gain unauthorized access to patient data.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the device's failure to employ encryption for sensitive information transmission over network interfaces. When the SpaceCom2 system communicates with other medical devices or management systems, it sends configuration data, operational parameters, and potentially patient-related information in plain text format. Network sniffing tools can easily capture this unencrypted traffic, allowing remote attackers to reconstruct the complete internal pump configuration. This exposure creates multiple attack vectors as the captured data may include operational thresholds, dosage parameters, and communication protocols that could be exploited to compromise patient safety or device integrity. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it affects medical devices that operate in controlled healthcare environments where network security is often assumed rather than actively enforced.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially compromise patient safety and healthcare system integrity. Attackers who intercept this cleartext transmission can gain detailed knowledge of pump configurations and operational parameters, which may enable them to predict or manipulate device behavior. In a healthcare setting, this could result in unauthorized modifications to medication delivery rates, incorrect dosage calculations, or complete device misoperation that directly threatens patient welfare. The vulnerability also creates opportunities for lateral movement within healthcare networks, as attackers may use the captured information to identify other vulnerable devices or systems. From a compliance standpoint, this exposure violates HIPAA security requirements and other healthcare data protection regulations, potentially resulting in significant regulatory penalties and legal consequences for healthcare organizations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2021-33883 should prioritize immediate firmware updates to version 012U000062 or later, which contain the necessary encryption mechanisms to protect sensitive data transmission. Network segmentation and monitoring should be implemented to detect and alert on suspicious traffic patterns that might indicate interception attempts. Organizations should also deploy network traffic analysis tools to identify and block unencrypted communications, particularly those involving medical devices. The implementation of secure communication protocols such as TLS encryption for all device-to-device and device-to-management system communications is essential. Additionally, healthcare organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments of their medical device networks, establish secure device configuration management practices, and implement continuous monitoring for similar cleartext transmission vulnerabilities across their entire healthcare technology infrastructure. This vulnerability highlights the critical need for robust security practices in medical device environments where patient safety and data protection must be paramount considerations.