CVE-2021-37161 in Nexus Panel
Summary
by MITRE • 08/02/2021
A buffer overflow issue was discovered in the HMI3 Control Panel contained within the Swisslog Healthcare Nexus Panel, operated by released versions of software before Nexus Software 7.2.5.7. A buffer overflow allows an attacker to overwrite an internal queue data structure and can lead to remote code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/06/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-37161 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the HMI3 Control Panel of the Swisslog Healthcare Nexus Panel system. This issue affects specific software versions prior to Nexus Software 7.2.5.7, creating a significant security risk for healthcare facilities that rely on this medical equipment for critical operations. The affected system operates within the healthcare sector where patient safety and system integrity are paramount, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for organizations implementing medical device management solutions.
The technical flaw manifests as a classic buffer overflow condition within the control panel's internal queue data structure processing. When the system handles certain input data streams, the insufficient bounds checking allows maliciously crafted data to exceed allocated buffer boundaries. This overflow directly impacts the internal queue management mechanism that controls data flow between various system components. The vulnerability stems from improper memory management practices where the system fails to validate input lengths before processing, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by remote attackers. This aligns with CWE-121, which categorizes buffer overflow conditions that occur when insufficient bounds checking allows data to be written beyond the allocated buffer space.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system instability, as it creates a pathway for remote code execution attacks that could compromise entire healthcare networks. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability could gain unauthorized access to the control panel's operating system, potentially enabling them to manipulate medical device configurations, access sensitive patient data, or disrupt critical healthcare operations. The remote execution capability means that threat actors do not require physical access to the device, making the attack surface significantly broader. This vulnerability particularly affects healthcare environments where medical devices are increasingly connected to hospital networks, creating potential attack vectors that could impact patient care delivery and data security protocols.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2021-37161 must prioritize immediate software updates to Nexus Software 7.2.5.7 or later versions that contain the necessary memory validation patches. Organizations should implement network segmentation to isolate affected medical devices from critical network segments and establish monitoring protocols to detect anomalous behavior patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The remediation process should include thorough vulnerability assessments of all connected medical devices within the healthcare infrastructure to identify similar vulnerabilities. Security teams should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems specifically configured to monitor for buffer overflow exploitation attempts and establish incident response procedures that account for potential medical device compromise scenarios. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date medical device firmware and implementing robust security controls in healthcare environments where device integrity directly impacts patient safety.