CVE-2020-29142 in OpenEMR
Summary
by MITRE • 02/16/2021
A SQL injection vulnerability in interface/usergroup/usergroup_admin.php in OpenEMR before 5.0.2.5 allows a remote authenticated attacker to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the schedule_facility parameter when restrict_user_facility=on is in global settings.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/01/2021
The vulnerability CVE-2020-29142 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the OpenEMR healthcare information system that affects versions prior to 5.0.2.5. This vulnerability exists in the usergroup_admin.php interface file and specifically targets the schedule_facility parameter when the restrict_user_facility=on configuration setting is enabled. The flaw allows authenticated attackers to manipulate database queries through improper input validation, potentially leading to unauthorized data access and system compromise. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-89 as a SQL injection weakness, which falls within the broader category of injection flaws that represent one of the most prevalent and dangerous security vulnerabilities in web applications.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an authenticated user with sufficient privileges manipulates the schedule_facility parameter in the usergroup administration interface. When the global setting restrict_user_facility=on is active, the system fails to properly sanitize user input before incorporating it into SQL query construction. This improper input handling creates a direct pathway for attackers to inject malicious SQL code that executes within the database context. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires only authentication to exploit, meaning that an attacker who has already gained access to a valid user account can leverage this flaw to escalate their privileges and execute arbitrary database commands. The attack vector is classified as remote since the vulnerability can be exploited through network connections without requiring physical access to the system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft to encompass complete database compromise and potential system infiltration. Successful exploitation could allow attackers to extract sensitive patient information, modify user permissions, access confidential medical records, and potentially gain persistence within the healthcare network. In healthcare environments where OpenEMR systems store protected health information, this vulnerability could lead to serious compliance violations under regulations such as HIPAA, resulting in significant financial and legal consequences. The vulnerability's severity is compounded by the fact that it operates within administrative functions that typically possess elevated privileges, potentially enabling attackers to modify system configurations or escalate privileges to administrative levels. This makes the vulnerability particularly attractive to threat actors targeting healthcare organizations for data exfiltration or ransomware deployment.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-29142 primarily focus on immediate system updates and configuration hardening. Organizations should immediately upgrade to OpenEMR version 5.0.2.5 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the SQL injection vulnerability. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries in the affected interface would provide defense-in-depth protection. Security teams should also consider implementing network segmentation to limit access to administrative interfaces and enforce the principle of least privilege for user accounts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input sanitization and the need for regular security assessments of healthcare information systems. Organizations should also monitor for similar injection vulnerabilities in other components of their healthcare IT infrastructure and ensure that all web applications undergo regular security testing to identify and remediate potential weaknesses before they can be exploited by threat actors. This vulnerability highlights the critical need for healthcare organizations to maintain current security practices and regularly update their systems to protect against evolving threats in the healthcare cybersecurity landscape.