CVE-2022-31497 in EHR Base
Summary
by MITRE • 06/08/2022
LibreHealth EHR Base 2.0.0 allows interface/main/finder/finder_navigation.php patient XSS.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/10/2022
The vulnerability CVE-2022-31497 represents a cross-site scripting flaw discovered in the LibreHealth Electronic Health Record system version 2.0.0. This particular vulnerability exists within the finder_navigation.php script located in the interface/main/finder/ directory of the application. The flaw allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary JavaScript code into patient-related interfaces, potentially compromising the security of sensitive healthcare data. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the web application's user interface components.
This XSS vulnerability operates through the patient finder navigation functionality, where user-supplied input is not properly sanitized before being rendered in the web interface. When a user accesses the finder navigation page, any malicious script included in the patient data or navigation parameters gets executed within the context of the victim's browser session. The attack vector typically involves crafting specially formatted patient identifiers or search parameters that contain embedded JavaScript payloads. The vulnerability is classified as a reflected XSS issue under CWE-79, which specifically addresses improper neutralization of input during web page generation. This weakness allows attackers to inject client-side scripts into web pages viewed by other users, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or unauthorized actions performed on behalf of the victim.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it can enable sophisticated attack chains within healthcare environments. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability to steal user sessions, modify patient records, or redirect users to malicious sites that appear legitimate. The healthcare industry's reliance on electronic health records makes such vulnerabilities particularly dangerous as they can compromise patient privacy and data integrity. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of healthcare information systems, potentially violating regulations such as HIPAA requirements for protecting patient data. Attackers leveraging this vulnerability could execute commands in the context of authenticated users, potentially gaining access to sensitive medical information or manipulating patient records. The attack surface is particularly concerning in healthcare settings where unauthorized access to patient data can result in severe privacy breaches and regulatory violations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-31497 should focus on implementing robust input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the LibreHealth EHR system. The primary fix involves sanitizing all user inputs before processing and ensuring proper HTML encoding of output data to prevent script execution. Organizations should implement Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution sources and employ web application firewalls to detect and block malicious payloads. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through spearphishing attachments, highlighting the need for comprehensive security controls. System administrators should also consider implementing regular security assessments and penetration testing to identify similar vulnerabilities in healthcare applications. Updates to the LibreHealth EHR software should be prioritized to address this vulnerability, as the vendor has likely released patches or fixes for this specific XSS issue. Additionally, security awareness training for healthcare staff can help prevent social engineering attacks that might exploit this vulnerability, ensuring that users understand the risks associated with clicking suspicious links or entering untrusted data into healthcare systems.