CVE-2018-15155 in OpenEMR
Summary
by MITRE
OS command injection occurring in versions of OpenEMR before 5.0.1.4 allows a remote authenticated attacker to execute arbitrary commands by making a crafted request to interface/fax/fax_dispatch.php after modifying the "hylafax_enscript" global variable in interface/super/edit_globals.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/02/2023
The vulnerability CVE-2018-15155 represents a critical operating system command injection flaw discovered in OpenEMR versions prior to 5.0.1.4. This vulnerability exists within the fax dispatch functionality of the medical practice management software, specifically in the interface/fax/fax_dispatch.php component. The flaw allows a remote authenticated attacker to execute arbitrary system commands through manipulation of the hylafax_enscript global variable, which is defined in the interface/super/edit_globals.php file. This represents a severe security weakness that directly compromises the integrity and confidentiality of healthcare data systems.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the OpenEMR application's fax processing module. When an authenticated user modifies the hylafax_enscript global variable through the administrative interface, the application fails to properly sanitize or escape the input before incorporating it into system commands. This creates a classic command injection vector where attacker-controlled data flows directly into operating system command execution contexts. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires only authentication to exploit, meaning that any user with valid credentials can potentially leverage this flaw to gain unauthorized system access.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to healthcare organizations utilizing OpenEMR systems. A successful exploitation could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the web server process, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The attack could result in data exfiltration, system enumeration, privilege escalation, or deployment of additional malicious tools. Given that OpenEMR is widely used in healthcare environments, the potential for exposure of protected health information makes this vulnerability particularly concerning from compliance and regulatory perspectives. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-78, which specifically addresses OS Command Injection, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege in system design.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigations including upgrading to OpenEMR version 5.0.1.4 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the command injection flaw. Network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened to limit administrative access to only authorized personnel. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and monitoring for suspicious command execution patterns can provide additional layers of defense. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059.001 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, highlighting the need for comprehensive monitoring of system command execution. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other healthcare applications and systems.