CVE-2022-4502 in OpenEMR
Summary
by MITRE • 12/15/2022
Cross-site Scripting (XSS) - Reflected in GitHub repository openemr/openemr prior to 7.0.0.2.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/13/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-4502 represents a reflected cross-site scripting flaw within the openemr medical records management system prior to version 7.0.0.2. This issue resides in the GitHub repository maintained by the openemr project, which serves as a widely adopted open-source electronic health record system used by healthcare providers globally. The reflected XSS vulnerability occurs when the application fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input before incorporating it into web responses, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject client-side scripts into web pages viewed by other users.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the application's web interface. When users submit data through various web forms or query parameters, the system processes this input without adequate sanitization measures that would prevent malicious script execution. Attackers can exploit this by crafting malicious payloads that contain script code within URL parameters or form fields, which are then reflected back to the victim's browser when the application processes and displays the input data. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79, which specifically addresses Cross-site Scripting flaws in software applications, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter execution through web-based attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it can enable attackers to perform session hijacking, redirect users to malicious sites, or execute arbitrary code within the victim's browser context. Given that openemr systems handle sensitive patient health information, successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to medical records, potential identity theft, or disruption of healthcare delivery services. The reflected nature of the vulnerability means that attackers do not need to persistently store malicious code within the application, making detection more challenging as the attack occurs during the active request-response cycle. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in healthcare environments where user trust and data integrity are paramount.
Organizations utilizing openemr versions prior to 7.0.0.2 should immediately implement mitigations including comprehensive input validation, output encoding, and the implementation of Content Security Policies to prevent unauthorized script execution. The most effective remediation involves upgrading to version 7.0.0.2 or later, which includes proper sanitization routines and input validation measures that address the reflected XSS vulnerability. Additional defensive measures such as web application firewalls, regular security audits, and user education regarding suspicious web interactions can further reduce the risk of exploitation. Security teams should also conduct thorough penetration testing to identify any other potential injection points within the application and ensure that all user-supplied inputs are properly sanitized before processing or display.