CVE-2022-28533 in Medical Hub Directory Site
Summary
by MITRE • 05/05/2022
Sourcecodester Medical Hub Directory Site 1.0 is vulnerable to SQL Injection via /mhds/clinic/view_details.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/08/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-28533 affects the Sourcecodester Medical Hub Directory Site version 1.0, representing a critical security flaw that exposes the application to unauthorized data access and manipulation. This medical directory platform, designed for healthcare facility listings and information management, contains a SQL injection vulnerability that can be exploited by malicious actors to gain unauthorized access to sensitive patient and medical data. The vulnerability specifically manifests within the clinic details viewing functionality at the /mhds/clinic/view_details.php endpoint, where user input is not properly sanitized or validated before being incorporated into database queries.
The technical implementation flaw stems from improper input validation and sanitization practices within the web application's backend processing logic. When users access clinic details through the view_details.php script, the application accepts parameters that are directly concatenated into SQL query strings without appropriate escaping or parameterization mechanisms. This design flaw aligns with CWE-89, which categorizes SQL injection vulnerabilities as weaknesses in software that allows attackers to manipulate database queries through malicious input. The vulnerability operates by injecting malicious SQL code through input fields that are processed by the vulnerable script, enabling attackers to execute arbitrary database commands with the privileges of the database user account.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it can enable comprehensive database compromise and potential system takeover. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability can extract sensitive information including patient records, medical histories, staff details, and administrative credentials that are typically stored within the application's database. The exposure of such sensitive healthcare data violates privacy regulations and can result in significant financial and reputational damage to healthcare providers using this software. Furthermore, the vulnerability may allow attackers to modify or delete critical medical information, potentially compromising patient care and safety. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that medical hub directories often contain highly sensitive information that is subject to strict regulatory compliance requirements.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of the affected application version, as the vendor has likely released security updates to address the SQL injection flaw. Organizations should implement proper input validation and parameterized queries throughout the application codebase to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in other components. Database access controls should be reviewed and restricted to minimize the potential impact of successful attacks, with least privilege principles applied to database user accounts. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional layers of protection against exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to OWASP Top Ten security guidelines, particularly those addressing injection flaws and input validation. Organizations should also conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities across their healthcare information systems. This case highlights the critical need for healthcare organizations to maintain up-to-date security practices and promptly address known vulnerabilities in third-party applications they utilize for patient care management.