The recent ransomware attack on MedStar Health’s computer systems came through from a well-known security vulnerability in an application server, according to an article on the Healthcare Finance website.
The attack occurred after hackers discovered that MedStar uses JBoss, an application server with a recognized design flaw. The hackers used a virus-like software to scan the Internet for vulnerable JBoss servers.
Security researchers found that the JBoss application server was routinely misconfigured to allow unauthorized outside users to gain control.
The US government, Red Hat Inc., and other groups released warnings about the security issue in February 2007 and March 2010. MedStar could have fixed the vulnerability by installing a patch for the system or manually deleting two lines of software code.
Healthcare and Resilience: A Pledge for Change
Texas Health Resources Announces New Hospital for North McKinney
Cedar Point Health Falls Victim to Data Breach
Fire Protection in Healthcare: Why Active and Passive Systems Must Work as One
Cleveland Clinic Hits Key Milestones for Palm Beach County Expansion