CVE-2025-6613 in Hospital Management System
Summary
by MITRE • 06/25/2025
A vulnerability classified as problematic was found in PHPGurukul Hospital Management System 4.0. Affected by this vulnerability is an unknown functionality of the file /doctor/manage-patient.php. The manipulation of the argument Name leads to cross site scripting. 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 • 06/25/2025
This vulnerability resides within the PHPGurukul Hospital Management System version 4.0, specifically targeting the /doctor/manage-patient.php file through improper input validation of the Name parameter. The issue manifests as a cross-site scripting vulnerability that allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary JavaScript code into the application's response. The vulnerability is classified as problematic due to its potential for widespread exploitation and the fact that the exploit has been publicly disclosed, removing any element of surprise or stealth from the attack vector. The attack requires no authentication or privileged access, making it particularly dangerous as it can be executed remotely by any user with access to the affected system. The root cause stems from insufficient sanitization of user-supplied input, specifically the Name field, which fails to properly encode or escape special characters before being rendered in the web page context.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker submits malicious input containing JavaScript code through the Name parameter in the manage-patient.php file. When the application processes this input and displays it without proper output encoding, the injected script executes within the context of a victim's browser session. This creates a persistent threat where authenticated users could be redirected to malicious websites, have their session cookies stolen, or be subjected to more sophisticated attacks such as credential harvesting or defacement. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which describes improper neutralization of input during web page generation, and represents a classic example of reflected cross-site scripting when the input flows directly from user to browser without proper sanitization. The attack surface is broadened by the fact that this is a web application vulnerability that can be leveraged through standard web browsers and does not require specialized tools or deep system knowledge.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it can serve as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks within the hospital management system. An attacker could potentially establish persistent access through session hijacking, gain unauthorized access to patient records, or manipulate medical data, which could have serious implications for patient safety and healthcare delivery. The vulnerability also impacts the system's integrity and confidentiality, as it allows unauthorized parties to execute arbitrary code within the browser context of legitimate users. The disclosed exploit status means that attackers can readily implement this attack without requiring advanced technical skills, significantly increasing the risk profile. This vulnerability can compromise the trust relationship between patients and healthcare providers, potentially leading to regulatory violations under healthcare privacy laws and data protection regulations.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application. The most effective immediate fix involves sanitizing all user inputs, particularly those that are rendered in web pages, using appropriate encoding functions such as htmlspecialchars in PHP to prevent script execution. The application should implement Content Security Policy headers to limit the sources from which scripts can be loaded, providing an additional layer of protection. Regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar input validation issues across the entire application. The system administrators should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious payloads, while ensuring that all users receive proper security training regarding the risks of clicking suspicious links or submitting unverified information. Regular patching and updating of the application should be enforced, with the vulnerability being addressed through immediate code modifications that properly handle user input before it is processed or displayed. The vulnerability's classification as a remote attack vector makes network segmentation and access controls particularly important in limiting potential damage from exploitation attempts.