CVE-2021-39375 in EMR
Summary
by MITRE • 08/24/2021
Philips Healthcare Tasy Electronic Medical Record (EMR) 3.06 allows SQL injection via the WAdvancedFilter/getDimensionItemsByCode FilterValue parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/26/2021
The vulnerability CVE-2021-39375 affects Philips Healthcare Tasy Electronic Medical Record version 3.06, representing a critical security flaw that enables unauthorized SQL injection attacks. This issue resides within the WAdvancedFilter/getDimensionItemsByCode endpoint where the FilterValue parameter fails to properly sanitize user input before incorporating it into database queries. The flaw allows malicious actors to manipulate database operations through crafted input strings that bypass authentication mechanisms and potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive medical records and system data.
This vulnerability falls under CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws where untrusted data is incorporated into SQL commands without proper sanitization or parameterization. The attack vector leverages the web application's failure to implement proper input validation and output encoding for database query parameters. The Tasy EMR system processes medical data including patient records, diagnostic information, and treatment histories which makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it could lead to exposure of protected health information. The vulnerability exists due to inadequate parameter binding or input filtering mechanisms that should have been implemented to prevent malicious SQL code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft to include potential system compromise and unauthorized access to critical healthcare infrastructure. Attackers could exploit this flaw to extract, modify, or delete sensitive medical data, potentially affecting patient care and privacy. The attack surface is significant given that EMR systems contain highly sensitive information that healthcare organizations are required to protect under regulations such as HIPAA and GDPR. The vulnerability could enable attackers to escalate privileges within the system, potentially leading to full system compromise and persistent access to medical databases. Additionally, the exposure of medical records could result in identity theft, insurance fraud, and other malicious activities that affect both patients and healthcare providers.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including input validation and parameterized queries to prevent SQL injection attacks. The recommended approach involves implementing proper input sanitization for all user-supplied parameters and ensuring that database connections utilize parameterized queries rather than string concatenation. Network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened to limit exposure of the vulnerable endpoint. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other healthcare applications. The system should be updated with the latest security patches provided by Philips Healthcare and organizations should consider implementing database activity monitoring to detect suspicious query patterns. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional layers of protection against exploitation attempts. This vulnerability highlights the critical importance of secure coding practices in healthcare applications where the consequences of security breaches extend far beyond financial impact to include patient safety and regulatory compliance failures.