CVE-2017-6394 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

OpenEMR versions 5.0.0 and 5.0.1-dev were found to have multiple instances of Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) problems, potentially allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code within a compromised website.

Understanding CVE-2017-6394

What is CVE-2017-6394?

Multiple Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities were discovered in OpenEMR versions 5.0.0 and 5.0.1-dev due to inadequate filtering of user-supplied data.

The Impact of CVE-2017-6394

These security flaws could enable attackers to inject and run malicious HTML and script code within a browser, operating in the context of the vulnerable website.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-6394

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerabilities stem from user-provided data not being properly filtered in the "openemr-master/gacl/admin/object_search.php" URL, specifically affecting section_value and src_form.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: OpenEMR
Versions: 5.0.0 and 5.0.1-dev

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit these vulnerabilities by injecting malicious code through the affected URL, potentially compromising the security of the website.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Update OpenEMR to the latest patched version.
Implement input validation and output encoding to prevent XSS attacks.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor and audit web applications for security vulnerabilities.
Educate developers on secure coding practices to mitigate XSS risks.

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches and updates provided by OpenEMR to address and fix the XSS vulnerabilities.