CVE-2020-5733 in OpenMRS
Summary
by MITRE
In OpenMRS 2.9 and prior, the export functionality of the Data Exchange Module does not properly redirect to a login page when an unauthenticated user attempts to access it. This allows the export of potentially sensitive information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/06/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-5733 affects the OpenMRS platform version 2.9 and earlier, specifically within the Data Exchange Module's export functionality. This represents a critical authentication bypass issue that undermines the security posture of healthcare information systems. OpenMRS, being a widely deployed open-source medical record system used globally in healthcare settings, makes this vulnerability particularly concerning as it could expose sensitive patient data to unauthorized individuals. The flaw exists in the module's access control mechanisms where the system fails to enforce proper authentication checks before allowing data export operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate session management and access control validation within the Data Exchange Module. When an unauthenticated user attempts to access the export functionality, the system should redirect to a login page to enforce proper authentication before proceeding with any data export operations. However, the current implementation allows direct access to export features without proper verification of user credentials or session validity. This misconfiguration creates an authentication gap where unauthorized users can bypass the normal access control flow and directly initiate data export processes. The vulnerability manifests as a failure in the application's security architecture to properly validate user authentication status before permitting sensitive operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized data access, as it potentially exposes sensitive patient information to individuals who should not have access to such data. Healthcare organizations using OpenMRS systems may inadvertently compromise patient privacy and violate regulatory requirements such as HIPAA in the United States or GDPR in European jurisdictions. The exported data could include patient medical records, diagnostic information, treatment histories, and other confidential health data that could be exploited for identity theft, medical fraud, or other malicious activities. The vulnerability essentially creates a backdoor that allows unauthorized access to the system's most sensitive data export capabilities without proper authorization checks.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-285, which addresses improper authorization in software systems, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts usage and T1566 for social engineering. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to OpenMRS version 2.10 or later where this vulnerability has been addressed, enforcing proper session management controls, and implementing additional access controls for data export operations. Network-level protections such as firewalls and intrusion detection systems can help monitor for suspicious export activities, while application-level controls should enforce mandatory authentication before any data export operations are permitted. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should verify that proper access controls are maintained, and audit logs should be monitored for unauthorized access attempts to export functionality. The remediation process should also include comprehensive staff training on the importance of maintaining proper access controls and the potential consequences of authentication bypass vulnerabilities in healthcare information systems.