CVE-2025-5376 in Health Center Patient Record Management System
Summary
by MITRE • 05/31/2025
A vulnerability was found in SourceCodester Health Center Patient Record Management System 1.0. It has been declared as critical. Affected by this vulnerability is an unknown functionality of the file /patient.php. The manipulation of the argument itr_no leads to sql injection. The attack can be launched remotely. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/03/2025
This critical vulnerability resides within the SourceCodester Health Center Patient Record Management System version 1.0, specifically targeting the /patient.php file through improper input validation mechanisms. The flaw manifests as a sql injection vulnerability that occurs when the itr_no parameter is manipulated, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary sql commands against the underlying database. This vulnerability represents a severe security weakness that directly impacts the system's data integrity and confidentiality. The attack vector is remote, meaning that malicious actors can exploit this flaw without requiring physical access to the system, significantly expanding the potential threat surface. The disclosure of the exploit to the public community accelerates the risk profile, as it provides adversaries with readily available tools to target vulnerable installations. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which defines sql injection as a condition where an attacker can insert or "inject" a sql query via the input data from the client to the application, potentially gaining unauthorized access to sensitive patient information.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic sql injection attack pattern where the itr_no parameter lacks proper sanitization or parameterized query handling. When an attacker submits malicious input through this parameter, the application fails to properly escape or validate the data before incorporating it into sql statements, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate database queries. The remote exploitation capability means that threat actors can leverage this vulnerability from any location with internet connectivity, making it particularly dangerous for healthcare systems that often contain highly sensitive personal health information. The system's failure to implement proper input validation techniques creates an attack surface that could potentially lead to full database compromise, allowing unauthorized access to patient records, medical histories, and other confidential health data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it can result in complete system compromise and data destruction. Healthcare organizations utilizing this vulnerable system face significant regulatory compliance risks, particularly under hipaa requirements that mandate the protection of patient health information. The potential for data exfiltration, modification, or deletion creates substantial business continuity challenges and could lead to severe financial penalties. Attackers may also use this vulnerability as a foothold for further attacks within the network, potentially escalating privileges and accessing additional systems. The critical severity rating indicates that this vulnerability can be exploited without requiring specialized skills, making it attractive to a broad range of threat actors from script kiddies to organized cybercriminal groups. Organizations running this software must consider the potential for widespread data breaches that could affect thousands of patients and compromise the trust relationship between healthcare providers and their patients.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate patching of the affected system, implementing proper parameterized queries to prevent sql injection attacks, and establishing robust input validation controls for all user-supplied data. Network segmentation and intrusion detection systems can help monitor for exploitation attempts, while regular security assessments should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the healthcare information system. Organizations should also implement the principle of least privilege for database access and ensure that all database interactions use prepared statements or parameterized queries as recommended by the owasp sql injection prevention cheat sheet. The remediation process must include thorough testing to ensure that the patch does not introduce functional regressions while maintaining the system's ability to process legitimate patient data requests. Additionally, security awareness training for developers and system administrators should emphasize secure coding practices to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced in future software releases.