CVE-2018-17180 : What You Need to Know

A vulnerability was found in OpenEMR prior to version 5.0.1 Patch 7, allowing attackers to exploit a directory traversal flaw.

Understanding CVE-2018-17180

This CVE identifies a security issue in OpenEMR that enables attackers to perform directory traversal attacks.

What is CVE-2018-17180?

CVE-2018-17180 is a vulnerability in OpenEMR before version 5.0.1 Patch 7 that permits malicious actors to exploit a directory traversal flaw using a specific parameter.

The Impact of CVE-2018-17180

The vulnerability allows attackers to access sensitive files by manipulating the 'docid' parameter, potentially leading to unauthorized disclosure of information or further exploitation.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-17180

This section provides detailed technical information about the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The flaw in OpenEMR before version 5.0.1 Patch 7 allows attackers to traverse directories by using the parameter 'docid=../' to access the file '/portal/lib/download_template.php'.

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected Version: OpenEMR prior to 5.0.1 Patch 7

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by manipulating the 'docid' parameter with '../' to navigate to sensitive files within the system.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2018-17180 requires immediate actions and long-term security measures.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply the latest patch or update to OpenEMR version 5.0.1 Patch 7 to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor system logs for any suspicious activities related to directory traversal.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement strict input validation to prevent directory traversal attacks.
Conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing to identify and address vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Regularly update OpenEMR to the latest version to ensure all security patches are applied and vulnerabilities are mitigated.