CVE-2018-1000219 in OpenEMR
Summary
by MITRE
OpenEMR version v5_0_1_4 contains a Cross Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in The 'scan' parameter in line #41 of interface/fax/fax_view.php that can result in The vulnerability could allow remote authenticated attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML.. This attack appear to be exploitable via The victim must visit on a specially crafted URL..
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/02/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-1000219 resides within the OpenEMR medical records system version 5.0.1.4, specifically within the fax viewing functionality. This represents a classic cross site scripting flaw that demonstrates the persistent security challenges faced by healthcare information systems. The vulnerability is located in the interface/fax/fax_view.php file at line 41, where the 'scan' parameter is processed without adequate input sanitization or output encoding, creating an exploitable vector for malicious code injection.
This XSS vulnerability operates through a server-side parameter manipulation attack where authenticated users can be tricked into visiting malicious URLs crafted by attackers. The flaw stems from insufficient validation of user-supplied input within the fax viewing interface, allowing attackers to inject malicious scripts that execute in the context of the victim's browser session. The attack requires user interaction through navigation to a specially crafted URL, making it a reflected XSS vulnerability that relies on social engineering techniques to propagate.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection as it provides attackers with the ability to hijack user sessions, steal sensitive medical information, or manipulate the application interface to deceive users. Healthcare organizations using OpenEMR v5.0.1.4 face significant risks including unauthorized access to patient records, data exfiltration, and potential compromise of the entire medical records system. The vulnerability directly violates security principles outlined in the OWASP Top Ten, specifically addressing the injection flaw category that can lead to data breaches and privacy violations.
From a defensive perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which categorizes cross site scripting flaws and maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter. The recommended mitigation strategies include immediate patching to the latest OpenEMR version, implementing proper input validation and output encoding for all user-supplied parameters, and deploying web application firewalls to detect and block malicious payloads. Organizations should also conduct thorough security assessments of their medical systems, implement strict access controls, and establish robust monitoring protocols to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure coding practices and regular security updates in healthcare environments where patient data protection is paramount under regulations such as HIPAA and GDPR requirements.