BD Alaris Plus 

• CVSS v3 9.4
• ATTENTION: Exploitable remotely/low skill level to exploit
• Vendor: Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD)
• Equipment: Alaris GS, Alaris GH, Alaris CC, Alaris TIVA
• Vulnerability: Improper Authentication

2. RISK EVALUATION

Successful exploitation of this vulnerability may allow a remote attacker to gain unauthorized access to various Alaris Syringe pumps and impact the intended operation of the pump when it is connected to a terminal server via the serial port. BD has determined the affected products are not sold within the United States.

3. TECHNICAL DETAILS

3.1 AFFECTED PRODUCTS

The following versions of Alaris Plus, medical syringe pumps, Versions 2.3.6 and prior, are affected:

• Alaris GS,
• Alaris GH,
• Alaris CC, and
• Alaris TIVA.

3.2 VULNERABILITY OVERVIEW

3.2.1    IMPROPER AUTHENTICATION CWE-287

The software does not perform authentication for functionality that requires a provable user identity.

CVE-2018-14786 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3 base score of 9.4 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:H/A:H).

3.3 BACKGROUND

• CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE SECTORS: Healthcare and Public Health
• COUNTRIES/AREAS DEPLOYED: European Union
• COMPANY HEADQUARTERS LOCATION: United States

3.4 RESEARCHER

Elad Luz of CyberMDX discovered this vulnerability, and BD reported this vulnerability to NCICC.

4. MITIGATIONS

BD reports that this vulnerability cannot be performed if the device is connected to an Alaris Gateway Workstation docking station. Also, an attacker cannot switch the device on remotely, and no PHI or PII can be accessed by exploiting this vulnerability.

BD recommends the following mitigations and compensating controls in order to reduce risk associated with this vulnerability:

• This attack utilizes a known vulnerability in terminal servers. Users who utilize terminal servers should understand that terminal server use is not supported.
• Users should ensure they are operating these devices in a segmented network environment or as a stand-alone device.
• Users should utilize connections via the Alaris Gateway Workstation docking station, which would inactivate the remote control feature.

For more information on BD’s product security and vulnerability management, contact their product security office at:

http://www.bd.com/productsecurity

NCCIC recommends users take defensive measures to minimize the risk of exploitation of this vulnerability. Specifically, users should:

• Minimize network exposure for all control system devices and/or systems, and ensure that they are not accessible from the Internet.
• Locate control system networks and remote devices behind firewalls, and isolate them from the business network.
• When remote access is required, use secure methods, such as Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), recognizing that VPNs may have vulnerabilities and should be updated to the most current version available. Also recognize that VPN is only as secure as the connected devices.

NCCIC reminds organizations to perform proper impact analysis and risk assessment prior to deploying defensive measures.

NCCIC also provides a section for control systems security recommended practices on the ICS-CERT web page. Several recommended practices are available for reading and download, including Improving Industrial Control Systems Cybersecurity with Defense-in-Depth Strategies.

Additional mitigation guidance and recommended practices are publicly available on the ICS-CERT website in the Technical Information Paper, ICS-TIP-12-146-01B–Targeted Cyber Intrusion Detection and Mitigation Strategies.

Organizations observing any suspected malicious activity should follow their established internal procedures and report their findings to NCCIC for tracking and correlation against other incidents.

No known public exploits specifically target this vulnerability.