CVE-2022-4727 in Appointment Scheduling Module
Summary
by MITRE • 12/27/2022
A vulnerability, which was classified as problematic, was found in OpenMRS Appointment Scheduling Module up to 1.16.x. This affects the function getNotes of the file api/src/main/java/org/openmrs/module/appointmentscheduling/AppointmentRequest.java of the component Notes Handler. The manipulation of the argument notes leads to cross site scripting. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. Upgrading to version 1.17.0 is able to address this issue. The name of the patch is 2ccbe39c020809765de41eeb8ee4c70b5ec49cc8. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component. The identifier VDB-216741 was assigned to this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/24/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-4727 represents a cross-site scripting vulnerability within the OpenMRS Appointment Scheduling Module, specifically affecting versions up to 1.16.x. This security flaw resides in the Notes Handler component and manifests through the getNotes function located in the api/src/main/java/org/openmrs/module/appointmentscheduling/AppointmentRequest.java file. The vulnerability occurs when the notes argument is manipulated, allowing malicious actors to inject malicious scripts that can execute in the context of other users' browsers. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which categorizes cross-site scripting flaws as a critical web application security weakness.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability enables remote attack vectors, meaning that malicious actors can initiate the attack without requiring physical access to the system or local network privileges. The flaw specifically impacts the Notes Handler functionality within the OpenMRS appointment scheduling system, which is commonly used in healthcare environments for managing patient appointments and related information. When an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability, they can inject malicious JavaScript code through the notes parameter that gets processed by the getNotes function, potentially leading to unauthorized data access, session hijacking, or other malicious activities that could compromise the integrity of the healthcare information system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond typical web application security concerns given that OpenMRS is widely deployed in healthcare organizations where patient data confidentiality and system integrity are paramount. The remote exploit capability means that attackers could potentially compromise the appointment scheduling system from external networks, potentially accessing sensitive patient appointment information or manipulating scheduling data. This vulnerability directly violates security principles outlined in the ATT&CK framework under the T1566 technique for initial access through social engineering, as the XSS attack vector can be delivered through maliciously crafted appointment notes that users might inadvertently interact with. Healthcare organizations utilizing this module face significant risk of data breaches and system compromise that could affect patient care and regulatory compliance.
Security professionals should prioritize the immediate implementation of the recommended upgrade to version 1.17.0, which contains the patch identified by the commit hash 2ccbe39c020809765de41eeb8ee4c70b5ec49cc8. This upgrade represents the most effective mitigation strategy for addressing the vulnerability. Organizations should also implement additional defensive measures including input validation, output encoding, and content security policies to provide defense-in-depth protection against similar vulnerabilities. The vulnerability classification as problematic indicates that it requires urgent attention and remediation, particularly in environments where the OpenMRS system handles sensitive healthcare information and where regulatory compliance requirements such as HIPAA mandate robust security controls to protect patient data.