CVE-2018-17179 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

A vulnerability has been identified in OpenEMR prior to version 5.0.1 Patch 7. The make_task function in /interface/forms/eye_mag/php/taskman_functions.php is susceptible to SQL Injection through /interface/forms/eye_mag/taskman.php.

Understanding CVE-2018-17179

An issue was discovered in OpenEMR before 5.0.1 Patch 7, leading to SQL Injection vulnerabilities.

What is CVE-2018-17179?

CVE-2018-17179 is a vulnerability in OpenEMR that allows for SQL Injection through specific PHP files.

The Impact of CVE-2018-17179

This vulnerability could be exploited by attackers to execute malicious SQL queries, potentially leading to data theft, manipulation, or unauthorized access.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-17179

The technical details of the vulnerability are as follows:

Vulnerability Description

The make_task function in /interface/forms/eye_mag/php/taskman_functions.php is the source of the SQL Injection vulnerability.

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected Version: OpenEMR before 5.0.1 Patch 7

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited through the /interface/forms/eye_mag/taskman.php file, allowing attackers to inject malicious SQL queries.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2018-17179, follow these mitigation steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade OpenEMR to version 5.0.1 Patch 7 or later.
Implement input validation to sanitize user inputs and prevent SQL Injection attacks.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch OpenEMR to the latest versions.
Conduct security audits and penetration testing to identify and address vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches and updates provided by OpenEMR to fix known vulnerabilities and enhance system security.