CyberSecBulletin
CVE-2023-40704NVD status: Modified

Vue PACS: Use of Default Credentials

CVE-2023-40704 is a critical-severity use of default credentials vulnerability in Vue PACS from Philips, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.8 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. The record lists version 12.2.8.410 as the first without the flaw, so updating Vue PACS to that release or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.34% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.

Patch this week

Critical severity: a successful attack would have severe impact.

What to do

  1. Update Vue PACS to 12.2.8.410 or a later version.
  2. Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.

Affected products and versions

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed in
PhilipsVue PACSbefore 12.2.8.41012.2.8.410

Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.

How the severity score breaks down

Attack vector
NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
Attack complexity
LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
Privileges required
NoneNo account or login is needed.
User interaction
NoneNo action by a victim is required.
Scope
UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
Confidentiality
HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
Integrity
HighData or code can be modified at will.
Availability
HighThe component can be taken down completely.

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.

Scoring systemScoreSeverityScored by
CVSS 4.05.7MediumCNA (hq.dhs.gov)
CVSS 3.16.8MediumCNA (hq.dhs.gov)
CVSS 3.19.8CriticalNVD

Official description

The product does not require unique and complex passwords to be created during installation. Using Philips's default password could jeopardize the PACS system if the password was hacked or leaked. An attacker could gain access to the database impacting system availability and data integrity.

Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.

The underlying weakness: Use of Default Credentials

The product uses default credentials (such as passwords or cryptographic keys) for potentially critical functionality.

How developers prevent this class of flaw

  • Prohibit use of default, hard-coded, or other values that do not vary for each installation of the product - especially for separate organizations.
  • Force the administrator to change the credential upon installation.
  • The product administrator could change the defaults upon installation or during operation.

More Use of Default Credentials vulnerabilities (CWE-1392)

Timeline

  1. CVE record published.
  2. CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
  3. Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).

References

Third-party and government advisories

Other references

Recent Use of Default Credentials vulnerabilities

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