CVE-2020-26629 in Hospital Management System
Summary
by MITRE • 01/10/2024
A JQuery Unrestricted Arbitrary File Upload vulnerability was discovered in Hospital Management System V4.0 which allows an unauthenticated attacker to upload any file to the server.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/10/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-26629 represents a critical security flaw in the Hospital Management System version 4.0 that stems from improper input validation and file handling mechanisms. This issue manifests as a JQuery unrestricted arbitrary file upload vulnerability that fundamentally compromises the system's integrity by allowing any user to bypass authentication requirements and upload malicious files to the server. The flaw exists within the web application's file upload functionality, where inadequate sanitization and validation processes fail to properly verify file types, extensions, or content, creating an exploitable pathway for unauthorized code execution and system compromise.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the absence of proper file type validation within the JQuery-based upload component, enabling attackers to submit files with potentially dangerous extensions such as .php, .asp, .jsp, or other executable formats. This weakness aligns with CWE-434, which specifically addresses Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type, and represents a classic example of insecure file handling practices in web applications. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited through direct interaction with the upload endpoint without requiring any authentication credentials, making it particularly dangerous for healthcare environments where sensitive patient data resides.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses severe risks to healthcare organizations as it enables attackers to gain persistent access to the server infrastructure. An unauthenticated attacker can upload malicious scripts that could lead to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, and potential disruption of critical healthcare services. The attack surface extends beyond simple file uploads to include potential privilege escalation, lateral movement within the network, and establishment of backdoors for continued access. The implications are particularly grave in healthcare settings where regulatory compliance requirements such as HIPAA mandate strict protection of patient information and system integrity.
The exploitation of this vulnerability can be mapped to several ATT&CK techniques including T1190 for Exploit Public-Facing Application, T1059 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, and T1566 for Phishing with Malicious Attachments. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including strict file type validation, implementation of Content Security Policies, removal of unnecessary file upload functionality, and comprehensive input sanitization measures. The recommended remediation strategy involves enforcing whitelist-based file extension validation, implementing proper file content verification, and ensuring that uploaded files are stored outside the web root directory to prevent direct execution. Additionally, regular security assessments and application firewalls should be deployed to monitor and block suspicious file upload attempts, while proper access controls and authentication mechanisms should be reinforced throughout the system architecture to prevent unauthorized access to critical functionality.