CVE-2024-0264 in Clinic Queuing System
Summary
by MITRE • 01/07/2024
A vulnerability was found in SourceCodester Clinic Queuing System 1.0. It has been declared as critical. This vulnerability affects unknown code of the file /LoginRegistration.php. The manipulation of the argument formToken leads to authorization bypass. The attack can be initiated remotely. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. The identifier of this vulnerability is VDB-249820.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/24/2024
The CVE-2024-0264 vulnerability represents a critical authorization bypass flaw within the SourceCodester Clinic Queuing System version 1.0, specifically targeting the LoginRegistration.php file. This vulnerability stems from improper handling of the formToken argument which serves as a crucial security mechanism for validating user authentication requests. The flaw allows attackers to bypass the system's authentication controls by manipulating the formToken parameter, effectively granting unauthorized access to the clinic queuing system without legitimate credentials.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the manipulation of the formToken argument which typically functions as a cryptographic token or session identifier to verify the authenticity of login requests. When the system processes the LoginRegistration.php file, it fails to properly validate or sanitize the formToken parameter, creating an exploitable condition where attackers can craft malicious requests that appear legitimate to the authentication system. This weakness directly violates security principles outlined in CWE-346, which addresses "Improper Verification of Source of a Communication Channel" and CWE-287, addressing "Improper Authentication." The vulnerability operates at the application layer and specifically targets the session management and authentication mechanisms of the web application.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe given that it enables remote exploitation without requiring any prior authentication credentials. An attacker can leverage this flaw to gain unauthorized access to the clinic queuing system, potentially accessing patient records, appointment scheduling data, and other sensitive healthcare information. The public disclosure of the exploit means that malicious actors can immediately utilize this vulnerability without requiring advanced technical skills or specialized tools. This creates an immediate risk for healthcare organizations using this specific version of the clinic queuing system, as unauthorized individuals could potentially disrupt healthcare services, steal sensitive patient data, or manipulate appointment scheduling systems.
The attack vector for this vulnerability is entirely remote, meaning that exploitation does not require physical access to the target system or network. Attackers can initiate the exploit through web-based interfaces, making it particularly dangerous as it can be launched from anywhere with internet connectivity. This remote capability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1110.003, which covers "Password Cracking: Password Spraying" and T1078.004, addressing "Valid Accounts: Cloud Accounts," though in this case the vulnerability enables unauthorized access without legitimate account credentials. The system's failure to properly validate the formToken parameter creates a persistent security weakness that remains exploitable until the underlying code is patched or the vulnerable application is updated.
Organizations utilizing the SourceCodester Clinic Queuing System version 1.0 should immediately implement mitigations including patching the vulnerable LoginRegistration.php file to properly validate formToken parameters, implementing additional authentication layers, and conducting comprehensive security assessments of the entire application. The remediation should involve strengthening the token validation mechanism to ensure proper cryptographic verification and implementing rate limiting to prevent brute force attacks against the authentication system. Security teams should also consider implementing network segmentation and monitoring for suspicious authentication attempts to detect potential exploitation attempts. Regular security updates and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to prevent similar issues in other components of the healthcare information system infrastructure.