CVE-2022-3120 in Clinics Patient Management System
Summary
by MITRE • 09/05/2022
A vulnerability classified as critical was found in SourceCodester Clinics Patient Management System. Affected by this vulnerability is an unknown functionality of the file index.php of the component Login. The manipulation of the argument user_name leads to sql injection. The attack can be launched remotely. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. The associated identifier of this vulnerability is VDB-207847.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/07/2024
The CVE-2022-3120 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw within the SourceCodester Clinics Patient Management System, specifically affecting the login functionality through the index.php file. This vulnerability resides in the user_name parameter handling mechanism, where improper input validation allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary sql commands into the database query execution process. The flaw demonstrates a classic sql injection vulnerability that operates at the application layer, specifically targeting the authentication component of the medical management system.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through remote attack vectors, enabling attackers to manipulate the user_name parameter in the login form to execute unauthorized database operations. When the application processes the user_name input without proper sanitization or parameterization, the sql injection payload can bypass authentication mechanisms and potentially extract sensitive patient data, modify database records, or even escalate privileges within the system. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-89 which categorizes sql injection as a fundamental weakness in application security where untrusted data is incorporated into sql commands without proper validation or escaping.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple authentication bypass, as it compromises the integrity and confidentiality of patient medical records stored within the clinic management system. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to sensitive health information, potentially leading to identity theft, medical fraud, or data breaches that violate healthcare privacy regulations such as HIPAA. The disclosure of the exploit publicly increases the risk profile significantly, as threat actors can readily implement the attack without requiring advanced technical skills or custom exploit development.
Security mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must focus on implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries throughout the application code. The system should employ prepared statements or parameterized queries to ensure that user inputs are treated as data rather than executable code. Additionally, implementing proper authentication controls including account lockout mechanisms, rate limiting, and input sanitization can help prevent exploitation attempts. Organizations should also conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of their healthcare information systems. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to the principle of least privilege in healthcare applications where patient data security is paramount. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability aligns with T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application, representing a common attack pattern where adversaries target publicly accessible web applications to gain initial access and potentially escalate privileges within the network environment.