CVE-2024-5362 in Online Hospital Management System
Summary
by MITRE • 05/26/2024
A vulnerability classified as critical has been found in SourceCodester Online Hospital Management System 1.0. Affected is an unknown function of the file departmentDoctor.php. The manipulation of the argument deptid leads to sql injection. It is possible to launch the attack remotely. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. VDB-266274 is the identifier assigned to this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/10/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-5362 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the SourceCodester Online Hospital Management System version 1.0. This system, designed for healthcare administrative operations, contains a vulnerable function in the departmentDoctor.php file that processes user input through the deptid parameter. The flaw allows attackers to manipulate database queries by injecting malicious sql code through this parameter, potentially compromising the entire database infrastructure. The vulnerability's classification as critical indicates severe impact potential, as sql injection attacks can lead to complete system compromise, data theft, and unauthorized access to sensitive medical information.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the departmentDoctor.php script. When the deptid parameter is processed without proper escaping or parameterized query construction, attackers can inject malicious sql payloads that bypass authentication mechanisms and directly manipulate database operations. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-89, which specifically addresses sql injection weaknesses in software applications. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it can be executed remotely without requiring local system access, making it accessible to any attacker with network connectivity to the affected system. The vulnerability's public disclosure status, as indicated by VDB-266274, means that exploitation techniques are readily available to malicious actors.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it could enable attackers to gain complete administrative control over the hospital management system. Medical records, patient information, appointment schedules, and staff details could all be compromised through unauthorized database access. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that healthcare systems often contain highly sensitive information subject to regulatory compliance requirements such as hipaa. This vulnerability could facilitate advanced persistent threats where attackers maintain long-term access to the system, potentially leading to data exfiltration, system disruption, or even ransomware deployment. The remote exploit capability means that attackers could target systems from anywhere in the world, significantly expanding the potential threat landscape.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-5362 must prioritize immediate patching of the affected SourceCodester Online Hospital Management System to address the sql injection vulnerability. Organizations should implement input validation mechanisms that sanitize all user-supplied parameters, particularly those used in database queries. The implementation of parameterized queries or prepared statements should be mandatory for all database interactions to prevent sql injection attacks. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be configured to limit access to the affected system, reducing the attack surface. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other system components. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional layers of protection against sql injection attempts. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application, highlighting the need for proper application hardening and access controls. System administrators should also consider implementing database activity monitoring to detect anomalous sql queries that might indicate exploitation attempts. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing to ensure that the patch does not introduce regressions while maintaining system functionality.