CVE-2025-4818 in Doctor's Appointment System
Summary
by MITRE • 05/17/2025
A vulnerability was found in SourceCodester Doctor's Appointment System 1.0. It has been rated as critical. This issue affects some unknown processing of the file /admin/delete-doctor.php of the component GET Parameter Handler. The manipulation of the argument ID 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 • 05/28/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-4818 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the SourceCodester Doctor's Appointment System version 1.0. This system, designed for managing medical appointments, contains a dangerous weakness in its administrative interface that could allow attackers to execute arbitrary database commands. The vulnerability specifically resides in the GET parameter handler component located within the /admin/delete-doctor.php file, making it a direct target for exploitation. The flaw manifests when an attacker manipulates the ID argument parameter, which then gets processed without adequate input validation or sanitization measures. This particular attack vector demonstrates a classic sql injection vulnerability that aligns with CWE-89, which categorizes improper neutralization of special elements used in an sql command. The vulnerability's critical rating stems from the fact that it operates through a remote attack surface, eliminating the need for physical access or local privileges to exploit the flaw. The public disclosure of the exploit means that threat actors can readily leverage this weakness without requiring advanced technical skills or specialized tools, significantly increasing the potential attack surface and impact. The attack can be initiated from any remote location, making it particularly dangerous for web applications that are publicly accessible. This vulnerability directly impacts the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the underlying database system, potentially allowing attackers to extract sensitive patient information, modify medical records, or even delete critical data. The GET parameter handler component represents a common attack surface in web applications where user input is directly incorporated into sql queries without proper parameterization or escaping mechanisms. The exploitation process involves crafting malicious sql payloads through the ID parameter that can bypass authentication mechanisms and execute unauthorized database operations. This flaw represents a fundamental breakdown in the application's input handling and data validation processes, which should have implemented proper prepared statements or parameterized queries to prevent such injection attacks. The attack may be initiated through simple web browser manipulation or automated tools that can construct the malicious sql payloads. The implications extend beyond immediate data compromise to include potential system-wide damage through database corruption, unauthorized access to administrative functions, and exposure of sensitive medical information. Organizations utilizing this system face significant risk of regulatory violations under healthcare data protection laws such as hipaa, as patient medical records could be exposed to unauthorized parties. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can target the system from anywhere on the internet, making it particularly dangerous for healthcare providers who may not have adequate network segmentation or intrusion detection systems in place. The public availability of the exploit ensures that this vulnerability will likely be targeted by both automated scanning tools and targeted attacks from sophisticated threat actors. The weakness in the GET parameter handler demonstrates a failure to implement proper input validation, which is a fundamental security control that should be enforced at all levels of application processing. The sql injection vulnerability creates a pathway for attackers to escalate privileges within the system, potentially gaining administrative access to the entire appointment management platform. This type of vulnerability is particularly concerning in healthcare environments where data integrity and patient privacy are paramount. The exploit's simplicity and public availability make it a prime target for automated attacks, potentially leading to widespread compromise of medical appointment systems across multiple organizations. The vulnerability's critical nature indicates that organizations should treat this as an immediate priority for remediation, as the potential for damage far exceeds typical security incidents. The attack chain typically involves initial reconnaissance to identify the vulnerable application, followed by exploitation of the sql injection flaw to gain unauthorized access to the database backend. This vulnerability represents a failure in the principle of least privilege, where the application does not properly validate or sanitize user input before incorporating it into database queries. The impact of this vulnerability extends to data confidentiality, as attackers can potentially extract all medical records, patient information, and administrative data stored in the database. The vulnerability also threatens data integrity, as malicious actors could modify or delete patient appointments, medical histories, or administrative configurations. Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including input validation, parameterized queries, and web application firewalls to protect against exploitation attempts. The flaw exemplifies the importance of secure coding practices and proper application architecture design that prevents injection vulnerabilities at the source. The vulnerability's presence in the administrative component of the system particularly raises concerns about unauthorized access to critical healthcare management functions and potential disruption of medical services. This type of vulnerability also highlights the need for comprehensive security testing including penetration testing and code reviews to identify and remediate such flaws before they can be exploited by malicious actors. The sql injection vulnerability in the GET parameter handler demonstrates a fundamental security gap in the application's defensive mechanisms, requiring immediate attention to prevent potential data breaches and system compromise. The public disclosure of the exploit means that organizations must act swiftly to patch or mitigate this vulnerability, as the window for exploitation is already open. The vulnerability's critical severity classification indicates that it should be prioritized above all other security concerns until properly addressed through code modifications, input validation implementation, or alternative security controls. The attack surface for this vulnerability includes not only the immediate database access but also potential lateral movement within the network if the application has access to other systems or databases. The vulnerability's impact on healthcare systems is particularly severe due to the sensitive nature of medical data and the regulatory requirements surrounding its protection. The flaw represents a clear violation of security best practices and underscores the importance of implementing robust input validation and sanitization measures in all web applications. Organizations should consider this vulnerability as a critical threat that requires immediate remediation to protect patient data and maintain system integrity. The vulnerability's exploitation potential makes it a high-value target for threat actors seeking to access healthcare databases and patient information for financial gain or other malicious purposes. The public disclosure of this exploit means that the vulnerability will likely be targeted by automated scanning tools, increasing the urgency for organizations to implement protective measures and patching procedures. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper application security controls and the dangers of insufficient input validation in web applications. The sql injection flaw in the administrative component of the doctor's appointment system represents a serious security risk that requires immediate attention and remediation to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive medical data and potential system compromise. The vulnerability's classification as critical and its public exploit availability make it essential for organizations to prioritize patching and mitigation efforts as part of their overall security posture and compliance requirements.