CVE-2022-2298 in Clinics Patient Management System
Summary
by MITRE • 07/12/2022
A vulnerability has been found in SourceCodester Clinics Patient Management System 2.0 and classified as critical. Affected by this vulnerability is an unknown functionality of the file /pms/index.php of the component Login Page. The manipulation of the argument user_name with the input admin' or '1'='1 leads to sql injection. The attack can be launched remotely. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/07/2024
This vulnerability resides within the SourceCodester Clinics Patient Management System version 2.0, specifically targeting the login page functionality through the /pms/index.php file. The flaw represents a classic sql injection vulnerability that allows attackers to manipulate the user_name parameter through crafted input strings. The attack vector involves injecting malicious sql code using the payload admin' or '1'='1 which effectively bypasses authentication mechanisms by exploiting improper input validation and sanitization. This vulnerability has been classified as critical due to its potential for unauthorized system access and data compromise.
The technical exploitation occurs when the application fails to properly sanitize user input before incorporating it into sql queries. The specific input admin' or '1'='1 demonstrates a common sql injection technique where the single quotes are used to terminate the original sql string and the subsequent condition 1=1 evaluates to true, thereby granting access without proper authentication. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-89 which specifically addresses sql injection flaws in software applications. The remote exploit capability means that attackers can leverage this vulnerability from external networks without requiring physical access to the system, making it particularly dangerous in web-based environments.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to include potential data breaches, system compromise, and unauthorized modification of patient records within the clinic management system. Attackers could exploit this weakness to extract sensitive medical information, manipulate patient data, or establish persistent access points within the organization's network infrastructure. The disclosure of this exploit to the public significantly increases the risk level as it provides threat actors with readily available attack methods. This vulnerability directly aligns with attack techniques documented in the attack pattern taxonomy where adversaries leverage sql injection to gain unauthorized access to databases containing sensitive information.
Organizations utilizing this system should implement immediate mitigations including input validation, parameterized queries, and web application firewalls to prevent sql injection attacks. The recommended approach involves implementing proper input sanitization mechanisms and ensuring that all user inputs are properly escaped or parameterized before being processed by the database engine. Additionally, regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities within the application codebase. The implementation of least privilege access controls and regular security updates can further reduce the attack surface and mitigate potential exploitation of this vulnerability.