CVE-2018-10601 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

IntelliVue Patient Monitors MP Series and Avalon Fetal/Maternal Monitors are affected by a security weakness that leads to a stack overflow vulnerability.

Understanding CVE-2018-10601

This CVE involves a stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability affecting specific versions of IntelliVue Patient Monitors and Avalon Fetal/Maternal Monitors.

What is CVE-2018-10601?

The vulnerability exposes an "echo" service when an attacker-sent buffer to a device address chosen by the attacker within the same network is copied to the stack without boundary checks, potentially causing a stack overflow.

The Impact of CVE-2018-10601

The vulnerability could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code or crash the affected devices, leading to potential service disruption or unauthorized access to sensitive information.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-10601

This section provides detailed technical information about the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from a lack of boundary checks when copying attacker-sent data to the stack, resulting in a stack overflow.

Affected Systems and Versions

IntelliVue Patient Monitors MP Series (including MP2/X2/MP30/MP50/MP70/NP90/MX700/800) Rev B-M
IntelliVue Patient Monitors MX (MX400-550) Rev J-M and (X3/MX100 for Rev M only)
Avalon Fetal/Maternal Monitors FM20/FM30/FM40/FM50 with software Revisions F.0, G.0, and J.3

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by sending a specially crafted buffer to a targeted device address within the same network, triggering a stack overflow.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2018-10601, follow these mitigation strategies:

Immediate Steps to Take

Implement network segmentation to limit access to vulnerable devices
Apply vendor-supplied patches or updates promptly
Monitor network traffic for any suspicious activity

Long-Term Security Practices

Conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing
Educate users and administrators about cybersecurity best practices
Keep systems up to date with the latest security patches

Patching and Updates

Check the vendor's website for available patches or updates
Apply patches following the vendor's recommended procedures