CVE-2022-26238 in Remisol Advance
Summary
by MITRE • 10/07/2022
The default privileges for the running service Normand Service Manager in Beckman Coulter Remisol Advance v2.0.12.1 and prior allows non-privileged users to overwrite and manipulate executables and libraries. This allows attackers to access sensitive data.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/08/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-26238 affects the Beckman Coulter Remisol Advance v2.0.12.1 and earlier versions, specifically targeting the Normand Service Manager component. This issue represents a critical privilege escalation flaw that undermines the security posture of laboratory automation systems used in pharmaceutical and diagnostic environments. The vulnerability stems from improper default privilege configuration within the service management framework, creating an exploitable condition that allows unauthorized users to manipulate core system components. The affected system operates in environments where sensitive data processing and analysis occur, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for organizations handling regulated data under compliance frameworks such as FDA 21 CFR Part 11 and ISO 13485 standards.
The technical flaw manifests through inadequate access control mechanisms within the Normand Service Manager service, which runs with elevated privileges by default. This misconfiguration enables non-privileged users to overwrite executable files and manipulate shared libraries that the service relies upon for normal operation. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-276, which addresses improper default permissions, and represents a classic case of privilege escalation through insecure service management. Attackers can exploit this weakness by placing malicious executables in directories that the service manager monitors or by directly modifying existing binaries, effectively gaining the same privileges as the service itself. The attack vector leverages the principle of least privilege violation, where service components operate with unnecessary elevated permissions that exceed their required functionality.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass potential data compromise and system integrity violations. Laboratory environments utilizing Beckman Coulter Remisol Advance systems may face unauthorized access to sensitive analytical data, patient information, or proprietary research results. The ability to manipulate executables and libraries creates opportunities for persistent backdoor installation, data exfiltration, or system disruption that could compromise regulatory compliance and operational continuity. Organizations relying on these systems for critical diagnostic or research functions face significant risk of data breaches, system compromise, and potential regulatory violations under healthcare data protection laws such as HIPAA and GDPR. The vulnerability also creates opportunities for attackers to establish persistent access within laboratory environments where physical and logical security controls may be less stringent than in traditional IT infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-26238 should focus on immediate privilege reduction and access control hardening. Organizations must ensure that the Normand Service Manager operates with minimal required privileges, implementing proper user account control and file system permissions. The recommended approach involves applying the vendor-provided security patches or updates that address the privilege escalation issue, while also implementing network segmentation to limit access to the affected systems. Security controls should include regular privilege audits, monitoring for unauthorized file modifications, and implementing application whitelisting policies to prevent execution of unauthorized binaries. According to ATT&CK framework tactic TA0004 (Privilege Escalation), this vulnerability maps to multiple techniques including T1068 (Local Port Forwarding) and T1543 (Create or Modify System Process) which attackers may leverage to maintain persistence. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments of their laboratory automation systems to identify similar privilege escalation vulnerabilities in other proprietary software components, as these systems often contain similar service management configurations that may present analogous security risks.