CVE-2024-10196 in Pharmacy Management System
Summary
by MITRE • 10/21/2024
A vulnerability was found in code-projects Pharmacy Management System 1.0 and classified as critical. This issue affects some unknown processing of the file /add_new_invoice.php. The manipulation of the argument text leads to sql injection. The attack may be initiated remotely. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/23/2024
This critical vulnerability in the code-projects Pharmacy Management System version 1.0 represents a severe sql injection flaw that compromises the system's database integrity and confidentiality. The vulnerability specifically resides within the /add_new_invoice.php file where user-supplied input is improperly handled, creating an attack vector that allows remote exploitation. The flaw manifests when the text argument parameter is manipulated, enabling attackers to inject malicious sql commands that can bypass authentication mechanisms and access sensitive patient and pharmaceutical data. This vulnerability directly aligns with CWE-89 which classifies sql injection as a critical weakness in application security where untrusted data is incorporated into sql queries without proper sanitization or parameterization.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with the capability to manipulate the pharmacy management system's underlying database structure. Remote exploitation means that threat actors can potentially execute administrative commands, modify inventory records, alter patient information, and even delete critical database entries. The disclosure of this exploit to the public significantly increases the risk surface, as malicious actors can immediately leverage this vulnerability without requiring advanced technical skills or zero-day knowledge. The attack vector through the web interface makes this particularly dangerous for organizations that do not maintain robust network segmentation or web application firewalls.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental lack of input validation and proper parameterized query implementation within the pharmacy management system. The system fails to employ standard security practices such as prepared statements or input sanitization that would prevent malicious sql code execution. This flaw represents a critical gap in the application's defense-in-depth strategy and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 which describes the exploitation of remote services through injection attacks. Organizations utilizing this system face potential regulatory violations under healthcare data protection standards such as HIPAA, as unauthorized access to patient pharmaceutical records constitutes a serious security incident that requires immediate remediation.
The recommended mitigation strategies include immediate patching of the vulnerable application version, implementation of proper input validation and parameterized queries throughout the codebase, and deployment of web application firewalls to monitor and filter suspicious sql injection attempts. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments of all web applications, implement regular penetration testing, and establish proper network segmentation to limit the potential blast radius of such attacks. The vulnerability serves as a stark reminder of the importance of secure coding practices and the necessity of regular security updates in healthcare information systems where patient data security is paramount.