CVE-2020-6962

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2020-6962?

CVE-2020-6962 has a CVSS score of 10.0 (CRITICAL). This critical vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary code remotely on affected GE Healthcare medical telemetry systems by exploiting input validation flaws in the web-based configuration utility. It affects multiple telemetry servers, clinical information centers, and central station products used in healthcare environments. Successful exploitation could compromise patient monitoring systems.

10.0 CRITICAL

Remote Code Execution

📋 TL;DR

This critical vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary code remotely on affected GE Healthcare medical telemetry systems by exploiting input validation flaws in the web-based configuration utility. It affects multiple telemetry servers, clinical information centers, and central station products used in healthcare environments. Successful exploitation could compromise patient monitoring systems.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

ApexPro Telemetry Server
CARESCAPE Telemetry Server
Clinical Information Center (CIC)
CARESCAPE Central Station (CSCS)
B450
B650
B850

Versions: Multiple versions up to and including those specified in CVE description

Operating Systems: Proprietary medical device OS

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: Affects web-based configuration utility across multiple GE Healthcare telemetry products used in hospital environments.

📦 What is this software?

⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

🔴

Worst Case

Complete system compromise allowing attacker to execute arbitrary code, disrupt patient monitoring, manipulate medical data, pivot to other hospital systems, and potentially endanger patient safety.

🟠

Likely Case

Remote code execution leading to system compromise, data theft, service disruption, and potential ransomware deployment on medical telemetry infrastructure.

🟢

If Mitigated

Limited impact if systems are isolated, patched, and have proper network segmentation with strict access controls.

🌐 Internet-Facing: HIGH

🏢 Internal Only: HIGH

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: LIKELY

Unauthenticated Exploit: ⚠️ Yes

Complexity: LOW

Input validation vulnerability in web interface suggests relatively straightforward exploitation for attackers with network access.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: Contact GE Healthcare for specific patched versions

Vendor Advisory: https://www.us-cert.gov/ics/advisories/icsma-20-023-01

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

1. Contact GE Healthcare support for patched firmware versions. 2. Schedule maintenance window for medical device updates. 3. Apply patches following GE Healthcare's medical device update procedures. 4. Verify system functionality post-update.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Network Segmentation

all

Isolate affected systems from untrusted networks and implement strict firewall rules

Access Control

all

Restrict network access to configuration utility using IP whitelisting and VPN requirements

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Implement strict network segmentation to isolate affected systems from general hospital network
Deploy intrusion detection/prevention systems to monitor for exploitation attempts

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check system version against affected versions list and verify if web configuration utility is accessible

Check Version:

Check device firmware version through system administration interface (device-specific)

Verify Fix Applied:

Verify with GE Healthcare that patched firmware version has been installed and test configuration utility functionality

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Unusual web configuration utility access patterns
Unexpected system process execution
Configuration changes not initiated by authorized personnel

Network Indicators:

Unusual traffic to web configuration ports
Suspicious HTTP requests to configuration endpoints

SIEM Query:

source_ip=external AND dest_port=web_config_port AND (http_method=POST OR http_uri CONTAINS 'config')

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2020-6962

CVSS v3 Score: 10.0 (CRITICAL)

CVSS Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H

CWE: CWE-20

Published: January 24, 2020

Last Updated: November 21, 2024

🔗 References

https://www.us-cert.gov/ics/advisories/icsma-20-023-01 Third Party Advisory,US Government Resource
https://www3.gehealthcare.com/~/media/downloads/us/support/site-planning/site-readiness/gehc-gateway_project_implementation_guide_pdf.pdf Product
https://www.us-cert.gov/ics/advisories/icsma-20-023-01 Third Party Advisory,US Government Resource