CVE-2018-16521 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

OpenMRS Reference Application version 2.8.0 contains a vulnerability known as XML External Entity (XXE) in HTML Form Entry version 3.7.0.

Understanding CVE-2018-16521

An XML External Entity (XXE) vulnerability exists in HTML Form Entry 3.7.0, as distributed in OpenMRS Reference Application 2.8.0.

What is CVE-2018-16521?

This CVE refers to a specific vulnerability known as XML External Entity (XXE) found in HTML Form Entry version 3.7.0 within OpenMRS Reference Application version 2.8.0.

The Impact of CVE-2018-16521

The vulnerability could potentially allow attackers to exploit the XML External Entity issue in the HTML Form Entry component, leading to unauthorized access or sensitive data exposure.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-16521

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability lies in the HTML Form Entry version 3.7.0, part of OpenMRS Reference Application 2.8.0, allowing for XML External Entity (XXE) attacks.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Not applicable
Vendor: Not applicable
Versions: HTML Form Entry 3.7.0 in OpenMRS Reference Application 2.8.0

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by manipulating XML input to access local or remote content, potentially leading to data theft or system compromise.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Update to a patched version of HTML Form Entry to mitigate the XXE vulnerability.
Implement strict input validation to prevent malicious XML input.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor for security updates and patches for all software components.
Conduct security assessments and penetration testing to identify and address vulnerabilities proactively.

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches provided by OpenMRS for HTML Form Entry to address the XXE vulnerability.