CVE-2022-25490 in HMS
Summary
by MITRE • 03/15/2022
HMS v1.0 was discovered to contain a SQL injection vulnerability via the editid parameter in department.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/18/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-25490 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the HMS v1.0 web application, specifically manifesting through the editid parameter in the department.php script. This issue falls under the broader category of insecure input handling that enables malicious actors to manipulate database queries through crafted user inputs. The vulnerability resides in the application's failure to properly sanitize or validate user-supplied data before incorporating it into SQL command structures, creating an exploitable entry point for database manipulation attacks.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker submits malicious input through the editid parameter, which is then directly incorporated into database queries without adequate sanitization measures. This allows for unauthorized database access, data extraction, modification, or deletion operations. The vulnerability specifically targets the department.php script, indicating that the application's user interface for department management contains insufficient input validation controls. According to CWE classification, this represents a CWE-89: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command, which is one of the most prevalent and dangerous web application vulnerabilities. The flaw demonstrates poor application security practices where user-controllable parameters are directly embedded into database queries without proper parameterization or input filtering mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with potential full database access capabilities that could compromise the entire HMS system. An attacker could extract sensitive information including user credentials, departmental data, and potentially system configuration details that could facilitate further attacks. The vulnerability's presence in a department management interface suggests that attackers might gain access to organizational hierarchy information, employee details, or other sensitive operational data. This weakness aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.005: Application Layer Protocol: Web Protocols, where adversaries exploit web application vulnerabilities to achieve their objectives. The impact is particularly concerning for healthcare management systems where data integrity and confidentiality are paramount.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-25490 should focus on implementing robust input validation and parameterized queries to prevent SQL injection exploitation. Organizations must ensure that all user inputs are properly sanitized and that database queries utilize parameterized statements or prepared statements to eliminate the risk of malicious SQL code execution. The application should implement proper input filtering mechanisms that validate data types, lengths, and formats before processing user-supplied information. Security patches should be applied immediately to address this vulnerability, and the system should undergo comprehensive security testing to identify additional potential injection points. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and input validation controls at the application level can provide additional layers of protection against similar vulnerabilities. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to prevent future occurrences of such flaws in the application's architecture.