CVE-2017-11743 : Security Advisory and Response

MEDHOST Connex software contains a hard-coded Mirth Connect admin credential that poses a security risk by potentially allowing unauthorized access to sensitive patient information.

Understanding CVE-2017-11743

What is CVE-2017-11743?

The vulnerability in MEDHOST Connex involves a pre-set Mirth Connect admin credential that, if exploited, could lead to the interception of confidential patient data.

The Impact of CVE-2017-11743

The presence of a hard-coded admin password in the application poses a significant risk of unauthorized access to patient information, potentially compromising data confidentiality.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-11743

Vulnerability Description

The Mirth Connect admin credential is hard-coded as $K8t1ng in the application, remaining the same across all installations.
Customers are unable to change this password, and it is embedded in multiple instances within the Connex installation and update scripts.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Not applicable
Vendor: Not applicable
Versions: Not applicable

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers with knowledge of the hard-coded credential can directly communicate with the Mirth Connect management console to potentially intercept sensitive patient data.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Monitor access to the Mirth Connect management console for any unauthorized activities.
Consider implementing additional access controls and monitoring mechanisms.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly review and update security configurations to prevent unauthorized access.
Conduct security training for staff to enhance awareness of password security best practices.

Patching and Updates

Contact the software provider for patches or updates that address the hard-coded credential issue.