CVE-2018-18035 in OpenEMR
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in flashcanvas.swf in OpenEMR before 5.0.1 Patch 6 could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to conduct a cross-site scripting (XSS) attack on a targeted system.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/23/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-18035 resides within the flashcanvas.swf component of OpenEMR versions prior to 5.0.1 Patch 6, representing a critical cross-site scripting flaw that exposes systems to unauthenticated remote exploitation. This vulnerability specifically targets the flashcanvas.swf file which is utilized for rendering graphics within the OpenEMR medical records system, creating a potential attack vector through which malicious actors could inject arbitrary script code into web pages viewed by authenticated users. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the flashcanvas.swf implementation, allowing attackers to manipulate parameters passed to the flash component and subsequently execute malicious JavaScript code within the context of the victim's browser session.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a classic XSS attack pattern where an attacker crafts malicious input that gets processed by the vulnerable flashcanvas.swf component and subsequently rendered in web pages without proper sanitization. This allows for the execution of arbitrary scripts in the victim's browser, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or further exploitation of the compromised system. The vulnerability is classified as a client-side attack vector that leverages the trust relationship between the web application and the user's browser, making it particularly dangerous in healthcare environments where sensitive patient data is handled. According to CWE standards, this vulnerability maps to CWE-79 which describes improper neutralization of input during web page generation, specifically within the context of flash-based components that process user-supplied data.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-18035 extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with a foothold for more sophisticated attacks within healthcare networks where OpenEMR systems are deployed. Given that OpenEMR is widely used in medical facilities for patient record management, the compromise of such systems could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive health information, potentially violating HIPAA regulations and exposing patients to identity theft or medical fraud. The vulnerability's remote and unauthenticated nature means that attackers do not require valid credentials to exploit the flaw, making it particularly attractive for automated scanning and exploitation campaigns. Organizations running affected versions of OpenEMR face significant risk of data breaches, system compromise, and regulatory penalties that could result in substantial financial and reputational damage.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-18035 primarily focus on immediate patch deployment, with OpenEMR version 5.0.1 Patch 6 providing the necessary fixes to address the vulnerability. Security administrators should implement comprehensive patch management processes to ensure all instances of OpenEMR are updated promptly, as the vulnerability exists in multiple versions and affects organizations of all sizes. Additional defensive measures include implementing robust input validation controls, output encoding mechanisms, and content security policies to limit the impact of potential exploitation attempts. Network segmentation and monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect and prevent unauthorized access attempts, while regular security assessments should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the healthcare IT infrastructure. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques such as T1059.007 for scripting and T1566 for social engineering, representing a critical entry point that could enable further lateral movement within healthcare networks. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to provide additional layers of protection against exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability.