CVE-2022-41533 in Online Diagnostic Lab Management System
Summary
by MITRE • 10/14/2022
Online Diagnostic Lab Management System v1.0 was discovered to contain an arbitrary file upload vulnerability via the component /php_action/editProductImage.php. This vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted PHP file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/15/2025
The Online Diagnostic Lab Management System version 1.0 presents a critical arbitrary file upload vulnerability that fundamentally compromises the integrity and security posture of the affected environment. This vulnerability exists within the /php_action/editProductImage.php component, which serves as a critical interface for managing product imagery within the diagnostic lab management platform. The flaw represents a significant oversight in the application's input validation and file handling mechanisms, creating an attack vector that enables remote code execution through malicious file uploads. The vulnerability stems from insufficient sanitization of file upload parameters, allowing attackers to bypass security controls that should prevent the upload of executable files.
This arbitrary file upload vulnerability directly maps to CWE-434 which defines the weakness of allowing files to be uploaded to a web application without proper validation and sanitization. The flaw enables attackers to upload malicious PHP files that can execute arbitrary code on the target server, effectively granting them complete control over the affected system. The operational impact is severe as attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent backdoors, escalate privileges, and exfiltrate sensitive patient data or laboratory information. The attack surface expands significantly since the vulnerability allows for remote code execution without requiring authentication, making it particularly dangerous in production environments where such systems handle sensitive medical information.
The exploitation of this vulnerability follows established attack patterns consistent with ATT&CK technique T1505.003 which describes the use of web shell deployment for maintaining persistence and executing commands on compromised systems. Attackers can upload PHP web shells that provide them with a command-line interface on the target server, enabling them to perform reconnaissance, escalate privileges, and access other systems within the network. The vulnerability affects the availability, integrity, and confidentiality of the diagnostic lab management system, potentially exposing patient health information and laboratory data to unauthorized access. Organizations using this system face significant regulatory compliance risks, particularly under healthcare data protection regulations such as HIPAA.
Mitigation strategies must address both immediate remediation and long-term security improvements. The primary fix involves implementing strict file type validation that rejects executable file extensions including .php, .phtml, .php3, .php4, .php5, .php7, .phar, and other potentially dangerous extensions. The system should enforce content-type validation and implement proper file name sanitization to prevent directory traversal attacks. Organizations should implement the principle of least privilege by restricting file upload directories and ensuring uploaded files are stored outside the web root directory. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the application. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of secure file handling practices and proper input validation in web applications, particularly those handling sensitive healthcare information.