CVE-2021-32101 Explained : Impact and Mitigation
Learn about CVE-2021-32101 affecting OpenEMR 5.0.2.1 Patient Portal with an incorrect access control flaw, allowing unauthorized manipulation and access to patient data. Take immediate steps to secure patient health information.
OpenEMR 5.0.2.1 Patient Portal is vulnerable to an incorrect access control system that allows an unauthenticated attacker to manipulate and access patient data.
Understanding CVE-2021-32101
This CVE identifies a security vulnerability in OpenEMR version 5.0.2.1, specifically in the Patient Portal.
What is CVE-2021-32101?
The Patient Portal of OpenEMR 5.0.2.1 is affected by an incorrect access control system in portal/patient/_machine_config.php. This flaw enables an unauthenticated attacker to register an account, bypassing the permission check of the portal's API. Consequently, the attacker can manipulate and access data of all registered patients.
The Impact of CVE-2021-32101
The vulnerability poses a serious threat to the confidentiality and integrity of patient health records stored in the OpenEMR system. Unauthorized access to sensitive medical information can result in privacy breaches and misuse of personal data.
Technical Details of CVE-2021-32101
This section outlines the specifics of the vulnerability in terms of its description, affected systems and versions, as well as the exploitation mechanism.
Vulnerability Description
The incorrect access control system in the Patient Portal of OpenEMR 5.0.2.1 allows unauthenticated users to manipulate and view the data of all registered patients, posing a significant privacy risk.
Affected Systems and Versions
The affected system is OpenEMR version 5.0.2.1, particularly the Patient Portal where the access control issue resides.
Exploitation Mechanism
By registering an account and bypassing the permission checks of the portal's API, an attacker can exploit this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to patient data.
Mitigation and Prevention
To safeguard against CVE-2021-32101, immediate action must be taken to address the vulnerability and implement security measures to prevent future exploits.
Immediate Steps to Take
Providers should apply security patches promptly and restrict access to the Patient Portal to authorized users only.
Long-Term Security Practices
Regular security audits, access control reviews, and user training can help enhance the overall security posture of healthcare systems like OpenEMR.
Patching and Updates
Stay informed about security updates and patches released by OpenEMR to address known vulnerabilities and protect patient data.