CVE-2026-76574 in Hospital Information System
Summary
by MITRE • 08/20/2026
A flaw has been found in code-projects Hospital Information System 1.0. The impacted element is the function User::login of the file includes/users/UsersController.php of the component User Login Handler. This manipulation of the argument email causes sql injection. The attack is possible to be carried out remotely. The exploit has been published and may be used.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/20/2026
The vulnerability identified in code-projects Hospital Information System version 1.0 represents a critical security flaw within the user authentication mechanism, specifically located in the User::login function found within the includes/users/UsersController.php file. This component serves as the primary entry point for users to access the system by validating their credentials against the backend database. The core technical issue stems from improper input validation and sanitization of the email argument provided during the login process. Instead of using parameterized queries or prepared statements, which are standard practices for preventing SQL injection attacks, the application directly concatenates user-supplied input into an SQL query string. This architectural oversight allows a remote attacker to inject malicious SQL code through the email field, thereby manipulating the intended database logic.
From a technical perspective, this flaw is classified under CWE-89, which denotes Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command, commonly known as SQL Injection. The vulnerability enables attackers to bypass authentication controls entirely or extract sensitive data from the underlying database without authorization. By crafting specific payloads for the email field, an attacker can alter the structure of the SQL query executed by the application server. This could result in the retrieval of unauthorized information such as patient records, staff credentials, and other protected health information stored within the hospital system. The impact is severe because it compromises both confidentiality and integrity of the data managed by the Hospital Information System.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple authentication bypass. Since the exploit has been published and is available for use, automated scanning tools and malicious actors can easily leverage this weakness to compromise systems running this specific version of the software. In a healthcare environment, such a breach could lead to significant regulatory violations under frameworks like HIPAA or GDPR due to the exposure of sensitive patient data. Furthermore, successful exploitation might allow an attacker to escalate privileges within the database, potentially leading to full system compromise if additional vulnerabilities exist in conjunction with this SQL injection point. The remote nature of the attack means that no physical access or prior authentication is required, making it a high-risk vector for widespread exploitation across internet-facing deployments.
To mitigate this risk, immediate remediation actions are necessary. Developers must refactor the User::login function to utilize parameterized queries or stored procedures when interacting with the database. This ensures that user input is treated strictly as data rather than executable code, effectively neutralizing SQL injection attempts. Additionally, implementing a Web Application Firewall can provide an additional layer of defense by filtering out malicious payloads before they reach the application logic. Input validation should also be strengthened to enforce strict formatting rules for email addresses and other fields. Organizations currently running this version of Hospital Information System are advised to apply available patches if provided or consider upgrading to a secure, maintained alternative that adheres to modern security standards such as OWASP Top 10 guidelines. Regular security audits and penetration testing should also be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the system.