CVE-2023-0979 in MedDataPACS
Summary
by MITRE • 03/06/2023
Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command ('SQL Injection') vulnerability in MedData MedDataPACS allows SQL Injection.
This issue affects MedDataPACS : before 2023-03-03.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/01/2026
The CVE-2023-0979 vulnerability represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the MedDataPACS medical imaging system developed by MedData Informatics. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-89 category, which specifically addresses improper neutralization of special elements in SQL commands, making it a classic example of how unfiltered user input can be exploited to manipulate database queries. The vulnerability affects all versions of MedDataPACS prior to the March 3, 2023 release, indicating a window of exposure that could have allowed malicious actors to exploit this weakness for an extended period.
The technical flaw manifests when the application fails to properly sanitize or escape user-supplied input before incorporating it into SQL database queries. This improper handling creates an environment where attackers can inject malicious SQL code through input fields that are intended to accept legitimate user data. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows for arbitrary SQL command execution, potentially enabling attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms, extract sensitive patient data, modify database records, or even delete entire database tables. The flaw likely occurs in the application's database interaction layer where user inputs are directly concatenated into SQL statements without proper parameterization or input validation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond typical application security concerns, given that MedDataPACS is used in healthcare environments where patient privacy and data integrity are paramount. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability could gain unauthorized access to sensitive medical records, potentially compromising patient confidentiality and violating healthcare privacy regulations such as HIPAA. The attack surface is particularly concerning because medical imaging systems often contain highly sensitive information including personal health records, diagnostic images, and treatment histories that could be monetized on the black market or used for identity theft and fraud. Additionally, the compromise of such systems could disrupt healthcare delivery operations, potentially affecting patient care and diagnostic workflows.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries throughout the application codebase. Organizations should immediately update to the patched version released on March 3, 2023, which addresses the SQL injection flaw through proper input sanitization and query parameterization techniques. Security measures should include implementing web application firewalls, conducting regular security code reviews, and establishing robust database access controls. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190, which describes exploiting vulnerabilities in applications to gain unauthorized access to systems, and demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten security framework. Organizations should also implement continuous monitoring and logging of database activities to detect potential exploitation attempts and maintain comprehensive incident response procedures for handling such security breaches.