CVE-2024-5176 in Welch Allyn Configuration Tool
Summary
by MITRE • 05/31/2024
Insufficiently Protected Credentials vulnerability in Baxter Welch Allyn Configuration Tool may allow Remote Services with Stolen Credentials.This issue affects Welch Allyn Configuration Tool: versions 1.9.4.1 and prior.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/05/2024
The Insufficiently Protected Credentials vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-5176 represents a critical security flaw in the Baxter Welch Allyn Configuration Tool software ecosystem. This vulnerability stems from inadequate protection mechanisms for authentication credentials within the application's remote service architecture, creating a pathway for unauthorized access when legitimate credentials are compromised or intercepted. The vulnerability specifically impacts versions 1.9.4.1 and earlier of the Welch Allyn Configuration Tool, which is widely deployed in medical device environments where secure credential handling is paramount for patient safety and regulatory compliance.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests through weak credential storage and transmission mechanisms that fail to provide adequate cryptographic protection for authentication tokens and user credentials. The flaw allows attackers to potentially exploit the configuration tool's remote service capabilities to gain unauthorized access to systems when credentials have been previously compromised through various attack vectors such as credential theft, phishing, or network eavesdropping. This represents a significant deviation from industry best practices for credential management and aligns with CWE-522, which specifically addresses insufficiently protected credentials, making it particularly concerning for healthcare environments where the integrity of device configurations directly impacts patient care.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it enables attackers to potentially manipulate medical device configurations, disrupt critical healthcare services, and compromise patient data integrity. In healthcare settings, where the Welch Allyn Configuration Tool is used for managing sensitive medical equipment, this vulnerability creates a substantial risk of service disruption, data compromise, and potential harm to patients. The remote nature of the attack vector means that threat actors can exploit this vulnerability from external networks without requiring physical access to the affected systems, making it particularly dangerous in environments where medical devices are connected to hospital networks or cloud services.
Organizations utilizing the Welch Allyn Configuration Tool should immediately implement comprehensive mitigation strategies including updating to the latest software version that addresses this vulnerability, implementing additional authentication layers such as multi-factor authentication, and conducting thorough network segmentation to limit the potential impact of credential compromise. The remediation process should also include monitoring for suspicious authentication patterns and implementing robust credential management policies that align with healthcare security standards such as those outlined in the HIPAA Security Rule and NIST Special Publication 800-63B for digital identity management. Security teams should also consider implementing network-based detection mechanisms to identify potential exploitation attempts and establish incident response procedures specifically tailored to address credential-based attacks in medical device environments.