Critical Vulnerabilities Detected in Baxter Life2000 Ventilation System

On November 14, 2024, a critical advisory was released regarding severe vulnerabilities in the Baxter Life2000 Ventilation System, a device widely used in healthcare settings. Documented by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), these vulnerabilities present a significant risk to patient safety and data integrity, with a CVSS v4 score of 10.0, indicating high severity and remote exploitability with low attack complexity.

Executive Summary of Vulnerabilities​

The Baxter Life2000 Ventilation System is reported to have multiple vulnerabilities that could lead to unauthorized access or operational disruption. Key vulnerabilities include:

• Cleartext Transmission of Sensitive Information
• Improper Restriction of Excessive Authentication Attempts
• Use of Hard-Coded Credentials
• Improper Physical Access Control
• Download of Code Without Integrity Check
• Deficiencies in Access Control for Debug Interfaces
• Insufficient Logging Mechanisms
• Missing Support for Security Features

These vulnerabilities expose sensitive patient data and device functionality, making it possible for malicious actors to alter settings or disclose critical information without detection.

Risk Evaluation​

The ramifications of exploiting these vulnerabilities could have dire consequences—ranging from unauthorized access to sensitive patient information to potential disruptions in ventilator operations, which could threaten the safety of patients relying on the device. Specifically, these vulnerabilities could lead to:

• Information Disclosure: Attackers could gain access to sensitive data flowing through the ventilator.
• Operational Disruption: Unauthorized alteration to device settings could compromise essential medical functions.

Technical Details​

Affected Products​

• Baxter Life2000 Ventilation System (specifically Version 06.08.00.00 and prior)

Breakdown of Vulnerabilities​

1. Cleartext Transmission of Sensitive Information (CWE-319):
   • Lack of encryption on data transmitted via the ventilator's serial interface allows for unauthorized data interception.
   • CVE-2024-9834 assigned with a CVSS v4 score of 9.4.
2. Improper Restriction of Excessive Authentication Attempts (CWE-307):
   • The ventilator allows unlimited login attempts, making it susceptible to brute-force attacks to gain unauthorized access.
   • CVE-2024-9832 assigned with a CVSS v4 score of 9.4.
3. Use of Hard-Coded Credentials (CWE-798):
   • Hard-coded passwords that can be extracted from the device present an open door for attackers.
   • CVE-2024-48971 assigned with a CVSS v4 score of 9.4.
4. Improper Physical Access Control (CWE-1263):
   • Enabled debug ports can be exploited without adequate protection, leading to unauthorized actions.
   • CVE-2024-48973 assigned with a CVSS v4 score of 9.4.
5. Download of Code Without Integrity Check (CWE-494):
   • The absence of integrity checks allows for the possibility of applying compromised firmware updates.
   • CVE-2024-48974 assigned with a CVSS v4 score of 9.4.
6. On-Chip Debug and Test Interfaces (CWE-1191):
   • Flaws in memory protection can be exploited to read/write sensitive information from the microcontroller.
   • CVE-2024-48970 assigned with a CVSS v4 score of 9.4.
7. Missing Authentication for Critical Function (CWE-306):
   • Lack of authentication allows unauthorized access to testing and calibration tools.
   • CVE-2024-48966 assigned with a CVSS v4 score of 10.0.
8. Insufficient Logging (CWE-778):
   • Deficient logging mechanisms render unauthorized activities undetectable, heightening the potential for exploitation.
   • CVE-2024-48967 assigned with a CVSS v4 score of 10.0.

Mitigations and Recommendations​

Baxter intends to provide a follow-up announcement by Q2 2025, addressing further protective measures for the Life2000 users. In the meantime, users are urged to take the following precautions:

• Physical Security: Ensure that ventilators are not left unattended in unsecured areas to prevent unauthorized access.
• Monitoring and Logging: Implement stringent monitoring and logging practices to identify potential unauthorized access.
• Firmware Integrity Checks: Regularly verify firmware integrity when applying updates.

Organizations deploying the Life2000 system are strongly encouraged to conduct risk assessments and improve their cybersecurity posture accordingly. CISA recommends following established practices to mitigate the risk posed by these vulnerabilities, with numerous resources available for further guidance.
In summary, while these vulnerabilities present serious challenges, appropriate defensive actions can help ensure the safety and security of both patients and sensitive data within healthcare systems.

---

Source: CISA Baxter Life2000 Ventilation System