CVE-2015-4592 in Population Health
Summary
by MITRE
eClinicalWorks Population Health (CCMR) suffers from an SQL injection vulnerability in portalUserService.jsp which allows remote authenticated users to inject arbitrary malicious database commands as part of user input.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/20/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-4592 affects eClinicalWorks Population Health CCMR software, specifically targeting the portalUserService.jsp component. This represents a critical security flaw that enables authenticated attackers to execute malicious database commands through manipulated input parameters. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the web application's user service handling functionality. Attackers who have gained legitimate authentication credentials can exploit this weakness to manipulate the underlying database infrastructure, potentially accessing, modifying, or deleting sensitive patient health information stored within the system. The flaw exists in the application's handling of user-provided data that is directly incorporated into database queries without proper parameterization or input filtering.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability manifests as an SQL injection attack vector that operates at the application layer, specifically targeting the portalUserService.jsp endpoint. The flaw allows attackers to inject malicious SQL code through user input fields that are processed by the backend database engine. This type of vulnerability is classified under CWE-89, which specifically addresses improper neutralization of special elements used in SQL commands. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it requires only authenticated access, meaning that an attacker who has already compromised legitimate user credentials can leverage this weakness to escalate their privileges within the database environment. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that the application handles sensitive healthcare data, making it a prime target for adversaries seeking to extract or manipulate protected health information.
The operational consequences of this vulnerability extend beyond immediate data compromise, potentially enabling broader system infiltration and long-term persistence within healthcare environments. An attacker could utilize this vulnerability to extract patient records, modify treatment information, or even delete critical database entries that could impact patient care delivery. The implications are particularly severe in healthcare contexts where data integrity and availability are paramount for patient safety and regulatory compliance. This vulnerability directly impacts the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of healthcare information systems, potentially violating regulations such as hipaa and other data protection standards. The attack could also serve as a foothold for further lateral movement within the network, especially if the database server shares resources or credentials with other systems in the healthcare infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-4592 should focus on implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries to prevent SQL injection attacks. Organizations should immediately apply vendor patches or workarounds provided for the eClinicalWorks software, as this vulnerability has been widely documented and patched. Implementing web application firewalls and database activity monitoring solutions can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts. Access controls and privilege management should be reviewed to ensure that database users have the minimum necessary permissions, following the principle of least privilege. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components. Additionally, implementing proper logging and audit trails for database activities can help detect unauthorized access attempts and provide forensic evidence for incident response activities. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure coding practices and input validation in healthcare applications, where the stakes for data security are exceptionally high due to the sensitive nature of the information involved.