CVE-2020-26628 in Hospital Management System
Summary
by MITRE • 01/10/2024
A Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability was discovered in Hospital Management System V4.0 which allows an attacker to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code via a malicious payload appended to a username on the 'Edit Profile" page and triggered by another user visiting the profile.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/20/2025
This cross-site scripting vulnerability exists within the Hospital Management System version 4.0 where insufficient input validation and output encoding allow malicious actors to inject persistent script code through the username field on the edit profile page. The flaw represents a classic case of inadequate sanitization of user-supplied data before rendering it within web pages, creating an opportunity for attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability specifically manifests when an attacker crafts a malicious payload containing javascript code within a username field and subsequently triggers execution when other users view the compromised profile page. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which categorizes improper neutralization of input during web page generation, making it a significant security risk for healthcare information systems where patient data integrity and user trust are paramount. The attack vector leverages the principle of reflected and stored XSS, where the malicious script is stored on the server and executed each time a victim accesses the compromised profile.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it represents a critical threat to the confidentiality and integrity of healthcare data within the hospital management system. When an attacker successfully injects malicious code through the username field, they can potentially steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in healthcare environments where unauthorized access to patient records could result in severe privacy breaches and regulatory violations under HIPAA standards. The fact that the attack requires minimal user interaction beyond visiting a profile page makes it especially dangerous as it can propagate automatically without requiring user confirmation or awareness. From an attack chain perspective, this vulnerability maps to ATT&CK technique T1531 which involves using compromised accounts to gain access to sensitive information and systems, while also aligning with T1059 which covers command and scripting interpreter techniques.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application's data handling processes. The system must sanitize all user inputs, particularly those that are rendered in web contexts, using established encoding methods such as HTML entity encoding for output and strict input validation patterns. Implementing Content Security Policy headers can provide additional protection against script execution even if input validation is bypassed. The healthcare system should also consider implementing proper access controls and monitoring mechanisms to detect unauthorized modifications to user profiles. Regular security testing including dynamic and static analysis should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other parts of the application. Additionally, the system should be updated to ensure that all user-supplied data is properly escaped when displayed in web contexts, with particular attention to fields that are rendered in HTML output. The vulnerability highlights the critical need for secure coding practices and input validation in healthcare applications where the consequences of security breaches can be life-threatening.