CVE-2024-0265 in Clinic Queuing System
Summary
by MITRE • 01/07/2024
A vulnerability was found in SourceCodester Clinic Queuing System 1.0. It has been rated as critical. This issue affects some unknown processing of the file /index.php of the component GET Parameter Handler. The manipulation of the argument page leads to file inclusion. The attack may be initiated remotely. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. The identifier VDB-249821 was assigned to this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/09/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-0265 represents a critical remote code execution flaw within the SourceCodester Clinic Queuing System version 1.0. This system, designed for managing clinic patient queues, contains a dangerous input validation weakness in its web application framework that directly impacts the GET parameter handler component. The vulnerability specifically resides in the processing logic of the /index.php file where the page parameter is handled without proper sanitization or validation, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate the application's behavior through crafted HTTP requests.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a classic file inclusion attack vector where the page parameter in the GET request is manipulated to include arbitrary files from the server. This flaw falls under CWE-89, which describes SQL injection, but more accurately maps to CWE-94, representing arbitrary code execution through untrusted input processing. The vulnerability demonstrates a critical lack of input validation and output encoding in the application's parameter handling mechanism, allowing attackers to bypass normal access controls and potentially execute malicious code on the target server. The attack surface is particularly concerning because it requires no authentication and can be initiated remotely through standard web browser interactions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, potentially allowing attackers to gain full administrative control over the clinic queuing system. Once exploited, the vulnerability could enable unauthorized access to patient data, modification of queue management systems, and potential data exfiltration. The disclosed exploit code in VDB-249821 means that threat actors can readily leverage this weakness without requiring advanced technical skills, transforming this from a theoretical risk into an immediate operational threat. Organizations using this system face potential regulatory violations under healthcare data protection laws, as patient queue information and potentially sensitive medical data could be compromised.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-0265 should prioritize immediate patching of the affected SourceCodester Clinic Queuing System version 1.0, as no reliable workarounds exist for this type of vulnerability. Network-based mitigations such as web application firewalls should be implemented to filter incoming requests containing suspicious parameter values, particularly those containing directory traversal sequences or file inclusion patterns. Organizations should also implement proper input validation at the application level, enforcing strict parameter whitelisting for the page parameter and implementing proper output encoding to prevent malicious input from being executed. Additionally, regular security assessments should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the healthcare information system, aligning with ATT&CK framework's T1190 technique for exploitation of remote services and T1071.3 for application layer protocol usage. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of secure coding practices and proper input validation in healthcare applications where patient data security and system integrity are paramount.