CVE-2026-76614 in OpenEMR
Summary
by MITRE • 08/19/2026
OpenEMR before 8.3.0 contains a path traversal vulnerability in the EDI archive restore function. The archrestore_sel POST parameter is passed to the archive restore handler without sanitization for path traversal sequences. The handler checks whether the supplied path exists on the filesystem, and the differing response messages leak whether the target path exists. An authenticated user with EOB Data Entry permissions can probe arbitrary filesystem paths on the server to determine file existence.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/19/2026
The vulnerability identified in OpenEMR versions prior to 8.3.0 represents a significant security flaw within the Electronic Health Record management system, specifically located in the EDI archive restore functionality. This issue is classified as an OS Command Injection or Path Traversal vulnerability, aligning with CWE-22: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory. The core technical failure stems from insufficient input validation on the archrestore_sel POST parameter. When this parameter is submitted by a client application, it is passed directly to the archive restore handler without adequate sanitization or normalization for path traversal sequences such as dot-dot-slash characters. This lack of rigorous filtering allows an attacker to manipulate file system navigation logic, effectively bypassing intended directory restrictions and accessing files outside the designated secure storage areas.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access due to a specific behavioral characteristic known as information leakage through differential responses. The underlying handler implementation checks whether the supplied path exists on the server's filesystem before proceeding with further operations. Crucially, the application returns distinct response messages depending on whether the target file or directory actually exists at the specified location. This binary feedback mechanism creates a reliable side-channel that allows an authenticated user to perform systematic probing of arbitrary paths across the server infrastructure. By analyzing these differing responses, an attacker can map out the file system structure and determine the existence of sensitive files without needing direct read access to their contents initially.
From a threat actor perspective, this vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires only authentication with EOB Data Entry permissions, which are relatively common roles within healthcare information systems. This lowers the barrier for exploitation significantly compared to unauthenticated attacks. The ability to probe arbitrary filesystem paths enables an attacker to identify critical configuration files, database credentials, or other sensitive data stored on the server. Once specific file locations are confirmed through this enumeration process, subsequent attack vectors such as local file inclusion or remote code execution may become feasible if combined with other vulnerabilities in the application stack. This behavior is consistent with reconnaissance activities documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under techniques related to Discovery and Collection, where adversaries gather information about the target environment to facilitate further intrusion steps.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must prioritize immediate patching of OpenEMR to version 8.3.0 or later, as these versions include fixes that address the input validation flaws in the archive restore handler. In environments where upgrading is not immediately possible, defense-in-depth measures should be implemented at the web server and application firewall levels to block requests containing path traversal sequences within POST parameters. Additionally, developers must ensure that all file system operations strictly validate and canonicalize user-supplied paths against a whitelist of allowed directories before processing them. It is also critical to standardize error responses across different failure modes to prevent information leakage through differential messaging. Regular security audits focusing on input validation in legacy modules are recommended to identify similar patterns of improper path handling that could expose the system to further exploitation.