CVE-2018-18561 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A vulnerability has been identified in the Roche Accu-Chek Inform II Base Unit / Base Unit Hub and CoaguChek / cobas h232 Handheld Base Unit, allowing authenticated attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the operating system.

Understanding CVE-2018-18561

This CVE entry describes a security issue in Roche medical devices that could be exploited by attackers on the local network.

What is CVE-2018-18561?

The vulnerability in Roche Accu-Chek Inform II Base Unit / Base Unit Hub and CoaguChek / cobas h232 Handheld Base Unit versions earlier than 03.01.04 allows authenticated attackers to run arbitrary commands on the OS due to insecure permissions in a service interface.

The Impact of CVE-2018-18561

The vulnerability poses a significant risk as attackers within the local network can exploit it to execute unauthorized commands on the affected medical devices.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-18561

This section provides more in-depth technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The insecure permissions within the service interface of Roche Accu-Chek Inform II Base Unit / Base Unit Hub and CoaguChek / cobas h232 Handheld Base Unit versions earlier than 03.01.04 allow authenticated attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the OS.

Affected Systems and Versions

Roche Accu-Chek Inform II Base Unit / Base Unit Hub versions earlier than 03.01.04
CoaguChek / cobas h232 Handheld Base Unit versions earlier than 03.01.04

Exploitation Mechanism

Authenticated attackers on the local network can exploit the insecure permissions in the service interface to run arbitrary commands on the operating system.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2018-18561 is crucial to prevent unauthorized access and potential harm.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update affected devices to version 03.01.04 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
Implement network segmentation to limit access to vulnerable devices.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor and audit device permissions and access controls.
Conduct security training for users to recognize and report suspicious activities.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates from Roche and apply patches promptly to address known vulnerabilities.