CVE-2018-15146 in OpenEMR
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in interface/de_identification_forms/find_immunization_popup.php in versions of OpenEMR before 5.0.1.4 allows a remote authenticated attacker to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the 'search_term' parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/02/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-15146 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the OpenEMR healthcare information system platform. This vulnerability specifically affects versions prior to 5.0.1.4 and resides in the file interface/de_identification_forms/find_immunization_popup.php which handles immunization search functionality. The flaw enables a remote authenticated attacker to manipulate database queries through the 'search_term' parameter, potentially compromising the entire underlying database infrastructure. OpenEMR is widely deployed in healthcare environments where patient data confidentiality and integrity are paramount, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for organizations handling sensitive medical information.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which classifies SQL injection as a weakness where untrusted data is incorporated into SQL commands without proper sanitization or parameterization. The flaw occurs when user input from the 'search_term' parameter is directly concatenated into SQL query strings rather than being properly escaped or parameterized. This allows an attacker who has already established authentication credentials to craft malicious input that alters the intended database query execution path. The authenticated nature of the attack means that an attacker must first obtain valid credentials, but once achieved, they can leverage this vulnerability to extract, modify, or delete sensitive patient data stored in the database.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft to encompass potential system compromise and regulatory violations. Healthcare organizations using affected OpenEMR versions face significant risks including unauthorized access to patient medical records, potential data breaches that violate HIPAA regulations, and possible system integrity compromise. The vulnerability could enable attackers to escalate privileges within the database, access audit logs, or manipulate patient treatment records. Given that OpenEMR systems often contain comprehensive patient histories, laboratory results, and treatment plans, successful exploitation could result in severe privacy violations and potential harm to patient care. The attack vector requires only network access and valid authentication credentials, making it particularly dangerous in environments where administrative accounts may have elevated privileges.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-15146 should prioritize immediate patching of affected OpenEMR installations to version 5.0.1.4 or later where the vulnerability has been addressed. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and parameterized query approaches for all database interactions, ensuring that user-supplied data cannot influence SQL command structure. Network segmentation and access controls should be reinforced to limit authentication credential exposure, while monitoring systems should be deployed to detect anomalous database query patterns. The remediation process should include thorough testing to ensure that the patch does not disrupt existing functionality while also implementing proper security training for administrators to recognize potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments of their healthcare information systems to identify similar injection vulnerabilities in other components of their IT infrastructure.