CVE-2021-33886 in SpaceCom2
Summary
by MITRE • 08/25/2021
An improper sanitization of input vulnerability in B. Braun SpaceCom2 prior to 012U000062 allows a remote unauthenticated attacker to gain user-level command-line access by passing a raw external string straight through to printf statements. The attacker is required to be on the same network as the device.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/29/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-33886 represents a critical security flaw in B. Braun SpaceCom2 medical device software versions prior to 012U000062. This issue stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the device's command-line interface implementation. The flaw specifically manifests when the system processes external input strings without proper sanitization before passing them to printf function calls, creating a classic format string vulnerability that can be exploited by remote attackers.
This vulnerability operates under the Common Weakness Enumeration framework as CWE-134, which categorizes improper sanitization of input as a format string vulnerability. The attack vector requires the adversary to be within the same network segment as the targeted device, establishing a local network access prerequisite that aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter. The vulnerability's exploitation potential is significant because it allows an unauthenticated remote attacker to execute arbitrary commands with user-level privileges, effectively bypassing standard authentication mechanisms and gaining direct control over the device's operational functions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when user-supplied input is directly incorporated into printf format strings without proper validation or escaping. This creates opportunities for attackers to inject malicious format specifiers that can reveal memory contents, modify program execution flow, or execute arbitrary code. The affected B. Braun SpaceCom2 devices operate in healthcare environments where device integrity and patient safety are paramount, making this vulnerability particularly concerning from both security and compliance perspectives. The remote execution capability without authentication requirements means that an attacker within the network perimeter can potentially compromise the device's operational capabilities, access sensitive patient data, or disrupt critical medical services.
Organizations utilizing B. Braun SpaceCom2 devices must implement immediate mitigations including firmware updates to version 012U000062 or later, which contain proper input sanitization mechanisms. Network segmentation strategies should be enforced to limit access to these devices to authorized personnel only, while implementing intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious network activity. Additionally, regular security assessments should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other medical devices within the network infrastructure, as healthcare environments often contain legacy systems that may be susceptible to similar format string vulnerabilities. The remediation process must also consider the critical nature of medical devices, ensuring that security updates do not disrupt patient care operations while maintaining compliance with healthcare security standards such as HIPAA and NIST guidelines.