CVE-2018-18704 in Pharmacy Management System
Summary
by MITRE
PhpTpoint Pharmacy Management System suffers from a SQL injection vulnerability in the index.php username parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/07/2020
The CVE-2018-18704 vulnerability represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the PhpTpoint Pharmacy Management System, specifically targeting the index.php file through the username parameter. This vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-89, which defines SQL injection as the insertion of malicious SQL code into input fields for execution by the database. The affected system processes user input directly without adequate sanitization or parameterization, creating an exploitable entry point for attackers to manipulate database queries.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the application accepts user credentials through the username parameter in the index.php script without proper input validation or prepared statement usage. Attackers can craft malicious SQL payloads within the username field that bypass authentication mechanisms and potentially extract sensitive database information. The vulnerability stems from the application's failure to implement proper input sanitization techniques, allowing attackers to inject arbitrary SQL commands that execute within the database context. This flaw particularly impacts the authentication system where user credentials are processed, potentially enabling unauthorized access to pharmacy management functionalities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple authentication bypass, as successful exploitation could allow attackers to extract confidential patient data, prescription records, and administrative credentials stored within the pharmacy management system database. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that pharmacy management systems typically contain highly sensitive personal health information, making this vulnerability a prime target for cybercriminals seeking to exploit healthcare data breaches. Additionally, the vulnerability could enable attackers to modify or delete database records, potentially disrupting pharmacy operations and compromising patient care continuity. The exposure of database credentials through SQL injection attacks could also facilitate further lateral movement within network environments where the pharmacy system resides.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-18704 must focus on implementing robust input validation and parameterized queries to prevent SQL injection attacks. Organizations should immediately apply the vendor-supplied patches or updates addressing this vulnerability, while also implementing proper database access controls and monitoring mechanisms. The implementation of prepared statements or parameterized queries should replace direct SQL concatenation in all database interactions. Security measures including web application firewalls, input sanitization, and regular security assessments should be deployed to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190, which describes exploitation of vulnerabilities in web applications, and demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation in preventing database compromise. Organizations should also consider implementing database activity monitoring to detect anomalous SQL query patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts.