CVE-2024-46239 in Hospital Management System
Summary
by MITRE • 10/21/2024
Multiple cross-site scripting vulnerabilities exist in PHPGurukul Hospital Management System 4.0 via the docname parameter in /doctor/edit-profile.php and adminremark parameter in /admin/query-details.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/01/2025
The CVE-2024-46239 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the PHPGurukul Hospital Management System version 4.0, specifically affecting two distinct endpoints that handle user profile modifications and administrative query processing. This vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output sanitization mechanisms within the web application's codebase, creating exploitable entry points for malicious actors to inject arbitrary JavaScript code into the application's response. The affected parameters docname in the doctor/edit-profile.php file and adminremark in the admin/query-details.php file demonstrate a common weakness in web application security where user-supplied data is directly incorporated into HTML responses without proper encoding or validation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the application's failure to properly sanitize user inputs before rendering them within web pages, which creates a pathway for attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of other users' browsers. When a user submits data through the docname parameter, the system stores this input without adequate sanitization and subsequently displays it on the profile editing page, allowing an attacker to inject script tags that execute upon page load. Similarly, the adminremark parameter in the query details section suffers from the same deficiency, enabling attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code into administrative responses that could be viewed by other administrators or authorized users. This flaw aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting vulnerabilities resulting from insufficient output encoding and input validation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or session hijacking, as it can enable attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities within the context of the vulnerable application. An attacker could potentially escalate privileges by injecting scripts that capture administrator credentials or manipulate administrative functions, leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability also poses significant risks to patient data confidentiality and system integrity, particularly in healthcare environments where sensitive medical information is processed. The attack surface is further expanded because these parameters are likely accessible to multiple user roles, including doctors and administrators, increasing the potential for exploitation and impact.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application's codebase. The recommended approach includes sanitizing all user inputs using appropriate encoding functions before rendering them in web responses, particularly implementing HTML entity encoding for data displayed in web contexts. Additionally, the application should implement Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution and prevent unauthorized code injection. The remediation process should involve thorough code review and implementation of parameterized queries or prepared statements where applicable, along with regular security testing including dynamic application security testing and manual penetration testing to identify similar vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring systems to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to the principle of least privilege in web application development, with specific relevance to ATT&CK technique T1566 related to phishing and credential access through web-based attacks.