CVE-2019-8368 in OpenEMR
Summary
by MITRE
OpenEMR v5.0.1-6 allows XSS.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/25/2023
OpenEMR version 5.0.1 through 5.0.6 contains a cross-site scripting vulnerability that enables remote attackers to inject malicious scripts into web applications. This vulnerability resides in the application's failure to properly sanitize user input before rendering it within web pages, creating an environment where malicious actors can execute arbitrary code in the context of other users' browsers. The flaw specifically manifests when the application processes user-supplied data without adequate validation or encoding mechanisms, allowing attackers to embed javascript payloads that persist in the application's database and execute whenever affected pages are rendered. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which represents one of the most prevalent and dangerous web application security flaws. The attack vector typically involves an attacker submitting malicious input through forms, URL parameters, or API endpoints that are then displayed without proper sanitization. According to the ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, specifically JavaScript, and T1566.001 for Phishing, as attackers often leverage XSS to deliver malicious payloads. The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable session hijacking, credential theft, and privilege escalation attacks. An attacker could potentially steal user sessions, modify patient records, access sensitive medical information, or redirect users to malicious sites. The vulnerability affects the entire user base of affected OpenEMR installations, making it particularly dangerous as it can compromise multiple users simultaneously. Organizations running these vulnerable versions face significant risk of data breaches and regulatory violations, especially in healthcare environments where patient privacy is paramount. The security implications are further exacerbated by the fact that OpenEMR is commonly used in medical facilities where sensitive personal health information is stored, making successful exploitation potentially catastrophic. The remediation requires immediate patching of the affected versions, with administrators advised to upgrade to the latest stable release that addresses the input validation flaws. Additionally, implementing proper input sanitization, output encoding, and content security policies can provide defense-in-depth measures. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive security assessments of their web applications to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of their healthcare information systems. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation in web applications and highlights the need for robust security testing practices throughout the software development lifecycle. This particular issue underscores the dangers of insufficient data sanitization in healthcare applications where the consequences of successful exploitation can extend beyond financial loss to patient safety and regulatory compliance violations.