CVE-2023-41530 in Hospital Management System
Summary
by MITRE • 08/07/2025
Hospital Management System v4 was discovered to contain a SQL injection vulnerability via the app_contact parameter in appsearch.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/09/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-41530 represents a critical security flaw within Hospital Management System version 4, specifically manifesting as a sql injection vulnerability that could potentially compromise sensitive patient and administrative data. This issue was discovered through careful analysis of the application's input handling mechanisms, particularly focusing on the app_contact parameter within the appsearch.php file. The vulnerability stems from inadequate validation and sanitization of user-supplied input, creating an exploitable pathway for malicious actors to manipulate database queries. The affected system operates within healthcare environments where data integrity and confidentiality are paramount, making this vulnerability particularly concerning from a cybersecurity perspective.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the improper handling of the app_contact parameter which is processed through the appsearch.php script without adequate input sanitization measures. When user input is directly incorporated into sql queries without proper escaping or parameterization, attackers can inject malicious sql code that alters the intended query behavior. This flaw aligns with common weakness enumeration CWE-89 which specifically addresses sql injection vulnerabilities, and represents a classic example of how insufficient input validation can lead to complete database compromise. The vulnerability allows for arbitrary code execution and data manipulation, potentially enabling attackers to extract patient records, modify administrative configurations, or even escalate privileges within the system. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it requires minimal privileges to exploit and can be executed through standard web browser interactions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it could severely compromise patient privacy and healthcare delivery operations. Healthcare organizations utilizing this system face potential regulatory violations under hipaa and other data protection frameworks, with consequences including substantial financial penalties and reputational damage. The vulnerability could enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive medical information, patient demographics, treatment histories, and insurance details, creating opportunities for identity theft, medical fraud, and targeted attacks. Additionally, the compromise of administrative functions could disrupt hospital operations, potentially affecting patient care delivery and emergency response capabilities. The attack surface is particularly broad given that hospital management systems typically contain comprehensive databases with interconnected applications, making this single vulnerability capable of exposing multiple attack vectors and escalation paths.
Organizations should immediately implement comprehensive mitigation strategies including input validation and parameterized queries to prevent further exploitation attempts. The most effective immediate fix involves implementing proper sql query parameterization techniques and input sanitization measures to ensure that all user-supplied data is properly escaped before database processing. System administrators should also conduct thorough vulnerability assessments of related components and implement network segmentation to limit potential lateral movement. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be performed to identify similar vulnerabilities across the entire healthcare IT infrastructure. The remediation process should align with industry best practices such as those outlined in the nist cybersecurity framework and should include comprehensive logging and monitoring to detect any exploitation attempts. Additionally, staff training on secure coding practices and vulnerability awareness should be implemented to reduce the likelihood of similar issues in future software deployments.