CVE-2023-41525 in Hospital Management System
Summary
by MITRE • 08/07/2025
Hospital Management System v4 was discovered to contain a SQL injection vulnerability via the patient_contact parameter in patientsearch.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/08/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-41525 represents a critical security flaw in Hospital Management System version 4, specifically targeting the patientsearch.php component through the patient_contact parameter. This SQL injection vulnerability exposes sensitive patient data and potentially allows unauthorized access to the entire database infrastructure. The flaw occurs when user input from the patient_contact field is directly incorporated into SQL query construction without proper sanitization or parameterization, creating an avenue for malicious actors to manipulate database queries and extract confidential information.
This vulnerability falls under CWE-89 which defines SQL injection as the insertion of malicious SQL code into input fields for execution by the database. The attack vector specifically targets the patientsearch.php script where the patient_contact parameter serves as the entry point for SQL injection attempts. When an attacker crafts malicious input containing SQL commands within the patient_contact field, the application fails to properly validate or escape the input before incorporating it into database queries, allowing for arbitrary code execution and data manipulation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it potentially enables full database compromise and persistent access to patient records. Attackers could exploit this flaw to retrieve sensitive medical information, modify patient data, or even delete critical records, directly impacting patient care and privacy. The vulnerability poses significant risks to healthcare organizations, potentially violating regulations such as HIPAA and GDPR, while also exposing the system to broader network compromise through database access. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous in healthcare environments where the integrity and confidentiality of patient data is paramount for both legal compliance and patient safety.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate implementation of parameterized queries and input validation to prevent SQL injection attacks, along with comprehensive code review and security testing of all database interactions. Organizations must ensure proper database access controls, implement web application firewalls, and conduct regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities. The remediation process should involve updating the patientsearch.php script to properly sanitize all user inputs, implementing prepared statements, and establishing robust monitoring systems to detect potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, regular security training for developers and system administrators is essential to prevent similar vulnerabilities in future applications, while adherence to secure coding practices and compliance with industry standards such as NIST SP 800-171 and ISO 27001 should be maintained throughout the system lifecycle.