CVE-2017-12721 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A vulnerability in the Smiths Medical Medfusion 4000 Wireless Syringe Infusion Pump has been identified, allowing for a man-in-the-middle attack due to inadequate certificate validation.

Understanding CVE-2017-12721

This CVE involves an improper certificate validation issue in the Smiths Medical Medfusion 4000 Wireless Syringe Infusion Pump, versions 1.1, 1.5, and 1.6.

What is CVE-2017-12721?

The vulnerability in the Smiths Medical Medfusion 4000 Wireless Syringe Infusion Pump allows for a man-in-the-middle (MITM) attack due to insufficient certificate validation when communicating with a host.

The Impact of CVE-2017-12721

The vulnerability exposes the pump to potential malicious attacks, compromising the integrity and security of the device and patient data.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-12721

The following technical details outline the specifics of CVE-2017-12721:

Vulnerability Description

An inadequate validation of certificates by the pump
Vulnerability to man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks

Affected Systems and Versions

Smiths Medical Medfusion 4000 Wireless Syringe Infusion Pump
Versions 1.1, 1.5, and 1.6

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can intercept and modify data between the pump and the host due to the lack of proper certificate validation.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2017-12721, consider the following mitigation strategies:

Immediate Steps to Take

Implement network segmentation to isolate the affected devices
Monitor network traffic for any suspicious activities
Apply vendor-supplied patches or updates promptly

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch all medical devices
Conduct security assessments and penetration testing
Educate staff on cybersecurity best practices

Patching and Updates

Apply the latest firmware updates provided by Smiths Medical
Ensure proper certificate validation mechanisms are in place to prevent MITM attacks