CVE-2023-1464 in Medicine Tracker System
Summary
by MITRE • 03/17/2023
A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, was found in SourceCodester Medicine Tracker System 1.0. This affects an unknown part of the file Users.php?f=save_user. The manipulation of the argument firstname/middlename/lastname/username/password leads to improper authentication. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. The associated identifier of this vulnerability is VDB-223311.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/11/2023
This critical vulnerability exists within the SourceCodester Medicine Tracker System version 1.0, specifically in the Users.php file at the f=save_user endpoint. The flaw represents a severe authentication bypass issue that stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms. The vulnerability manifests when attackers manipulate the firstname middlename lastname username and password parameters, creating a pathway for unauthorized system access through remote exploitation. The improper authentication mechanism allows malicious actors to bypass legitimate user verification processes and potentially gain administrative privileges within the medical tracking system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability falls under CWE-287 which addresses improper authentication issues in software systems. This weakness enables attackers to exploit the system's user registration and authentication flow without proper authorization. The remote exploitation capability means that threat actors can leverage this vulnerability from external networks without requiring physical access to the system infrastructure. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple unauthorized access as it could potentially lead to data breaches involving sensitive medical information, patient records, and system administrative controls.
From an operational perspective this vulnerability poses significant risks to healthcare organizations utilizing the Medicine Tracker System. The potential for unauthorized data access and manipulation creates compliance violations under healthcare privacy regulations such as HIPAA. Attackers could exploit this flaw to inject malicious user accounts with elevated privileges, modify patient records, or disrupt system operations entirely. The vulnerability's classification as critical indicates that it can be easily exploited with minimal technical skill, making it particularly dangerous in environments where medical data security is paramount.
The mitigation strategy should focus on immediate patching of the SourceCodester Medicine Tracker System to address the input validation flaws in the user management component. Implementing proper parameter sanitization and authentication checks for all user input fields including firstname middlename lastname username and password is essential. Network-level protections such as firewalls and intrusion detection systems should be configured to monitor for suspicious activity targeting the vulnerable endpoint. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments of all medical applications to identify similar authentication vulnerabilities. The remediation process must include input validation controls, proper session management, and enforcement of least privilege access principles to prevent unauthorized system modifications and ensure compliance with healthcare security standards.