CVE-2020-36635 in Appointment Scheduling Module
Summary
by MITRE • 12/28/2022
A vulnerability was found in OpenMRS Appointment Scheduling Module up to 1.12.x. It has been classified as problematic. This affects the function validateFieldName of the file api/src/main/java/org/openmrs/module/appointmentscheduling/validator/AppointmentTypeValidator.java. The manipulation leads to cross site scripting. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. Upgrading to version 1.13.0 is able to address this issue. The name of the patch is 34213c3f6ea22df427573076fb62744694f601d8. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component. The associated identifier of this vulnerability is VDB-216915.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/25/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-36635 resides within the OpenMRS Appointment Scheduling Module, specifically in the validateFieldName function located in api/src/main/java/org/openmrs/module/appointmentscheduling/validator/AppointmentTypeValidator.java. This security flaw represents a cross-site scripting vulnerability that allows malicious actors to inject malicious scripts into web applications. The OpenMRS platform serves as a comprehensive medical record system used globally in healthcare environments, making this vulnerability particularly concerning given the sensitive nature of medical data. The vulnerability has been classified as problematic and is tracked under VDB-216915, indicating its severity and impact on healthcare information systems.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the appointment type validation process. When the validateFieldName function processes user-supplied data, it fails to properly sanitize or escape special characters that could be interpreted as HTML or JavaScript code. This allows attackers to submit malicious payloads through appointment type fields that are then rendered without proper sanitization, creating a persistent cross-site scripting vector. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited remotely, meaning that an attacker does not need physical access to the system to execute the attack. The attack surface is widened by the fact that appointment scheduling is a core functionality of the medical record system, making it a frequent target for exploitation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can potentially lead to unauthorized access to sensitive patient information, session hijacking, or even complete system compromise. In healthcare environments, where data protection and privacy are paramount, such a vulnerability could result in serious regulatory violations under HIPAA and similar healthcare data protection regulations. The remote exploitation capability means that attackers could potentially target healthcare facilities from anywhere in the world, making this vulnerability particularly attractive to threat actors. The vulnerability affects all versions up to 1.12.x, indicating that a significant portion of healthcare installations using this module could be exposed to risk.
The remediation strategy for this vulnerability involves upgrading to version 1.13.0 of the OpenMRS Appointment Scheduling Module, which includes the patch referenced by commit hash 34213c3f6ea22df427573076fb62744694f601d8. This upgrade addresses the root cause by implementing proper input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms within the validateFieldName function. Security practitioners should also consider implementing additional defensive measures such as content security policies, input validation at multiple layers, and regular security assessments of healthcare applications. Organizations using OpenMRS should prioritize this upgrade as part of their vulnerability management processes, particularly given the critical nature of healthcare data and the potential for regulatory penalties if data breaches occur. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and could be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1566 for initial access through malicious web content, making it a significant concern for healthcare cybersecurity posture.