CVE-2019-5644 in Basic Laboratory Information System
Summary
by MITRE
Computing For Good's Basic Laboratory Information System (also known as C4G BLIS) version 3.5 and earlier suffers from an instance of CWE-284, "Improper Access Control." As a result, an unauthenticated user may alter several facets of a user account, including promoting any user to an administrator.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/05/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-5644 affects Computing For Good's Basic Laboratory Information System version 3.5 and earlier, representing a critical access control flaw that undermines the system's security posture. This issue manifests as an improper access control condition classified under CWE-284, which specifically addresses weaknesses in authorization mechanisms that allow unauthorized entities to access resources or perform privileged operations. The BLIS system, designed for laboratory information management, becomes vulnerable to unauthorized modifications when attackers exploit this flaw without requiring authentication credentials.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of user privileges within the application's authentication and authorization framework. An attacker can manipulate the system to modify user account properties without proper authentication, creating a pathway for privilege escalation that allows arbitrary users to be elevated to administrator status. This flaw essentially bypasses the intended access control model that should prevent unauthorized modification of user accounts and administrative privileges. The vulnerability exists in the application's session management and user privilege validation components, where input validation and access control checks are either absent or inadequately implemented.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, particularly for healthcare and laboratory environments where data integrity and access control are paramount. An unauthenticated attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can gain administrative privileges within the system, potentially leading to complete system compromise. This includes unauthorized access to sensitive patient data, laboratory results, and other confidential information that the system is designed to protect. The ability to promote any user to administrator status creates a persistent backdoor that could remain undetected for extended periods, allowing attackers to maintain long-term access and control over the laboratory information system.
Organizations utilizing C4G BLIS version 3.5 or earlier should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to the latest available version that addresses this access control flaw, implementing network segmentation to limit access to the system, and conducting thorough security audits of user accounts and privilege assignments. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers legitimate credentials and valid accounts, as the attacker essentially gains administrative access through the exploitation of a flaw that allows privilege escalation without proper authentication. Additional defensive measures should include monitoring for unauthorized user account modifications, implementing multi-factor authentication where possible, and establishing regular security assessments to identify similar access control weaknesses in other system components. System administrators should also review and enforce proper access control policies to ensure that the principle of least privilege is maintained across all user accounts within the laboratory information system environment.