CVE-2019-17409 in OpenEMR
Summary
by MITRE
Reflected XSS exists in interface/forms/eye_mag/view.php in OpenEMR 5.x before 5.0.2.1 ia the id parameter.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/17/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-17409 represents a reflected cross-site scripting flaw within the OpenEMR medical records system version 5.x prior to 5.0.2.1. This security weakness specifically affects the interface/forms/eye_mag/view.php component where user-supplied input is improperly handled without adequate sanitization or encoding measures. The vulnerability manifests through the id parameter which serves as an entry point for malicious input to be reflected back to users in the application's response, creating a persistent vector for XSS attacks.
This reflected XSS vulnerability operates under CWE-79 which categorizes cross-site scripting flaws as weaknesses that allow attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users. The flaw exists in the eye_mag module of OpenEMR's interface system where the id parameter from HTTP requests is directly incorporated into the HTML response without proper validation or output encoding. Attackers can exploit this by crafting malicious URLs containing script payloads that, when executed in a victim's browser, can perform actions such as stealing session cookies, redirecting users to malicious sites, or executing unauthorized commands within the context of the vulnerable application.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it compromises the integrity and confidentiality of medical data within the OpenEMR system. Healthcare organizations using affected versions face significant risks including potential data breaches, unauthorized access to patient records, and possible system compromise through session hijacking attacks. The reflected nature of this vulnerability means that attackers can deliver malicious payloads through phishing emails, compromised websites, or social engineering tactics, making the attack surface particularly wide. According to ATT&CK framework tactic T1566, this vulnerability enables initial access through spearphishing with a malicious attachment or link, while the subsequent execution phase can leverage the XSS to escalate privileges and access sensitive healthcare information.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-17409 require immediate patching of the OpenEMR system to version 5.0.2.1 or later where the vulnerability has been addressed. Organizations should implement proper input validation and output encoding measures, specifically ensuring that all user-supplied parameters including the id parameter are properly sanitized before being incorporated into HTML responses. Additional protective measures include implementing Content Security Policy headers, using secure coding practices that prevent direct injection of user input into dynamic content, and conducting regular security assessments of web applications. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious traffic patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts, while security awareness training should be provided to staff to recognize potential phishing attempts that might leverage this vulnerability. The remediation process should also include comprehensive testing to ensure that the patch does not introduce regressions in system functionality while maintaining the security improvements necessary to protect patient data integrity.