OpenEMR 7.0.1 — CraftedSignal Threat Feedhttps://feed.craftedsignal.io/products/openemr-7.0.1/Trending threats, MITRE ATT&CK coverage, and detection metadata — refreshed continuously.Hugoenhello@craftedsignal.iohello@craftedsignal.ioWed, 03 Jan 2024 12:00:00 +0000OpenEMR Authentication Brute Force Vulnerability (CVE-2023-54347)https://feed.craftedsignal.io/briefs/2024-01-openemr-auth-brute-force/Wed, 03 Jan 2024 12:00:00 +0000hello@craftedsignal.iohttps://feed.craftedsignal.io/briefs/2024-01-openemr-auth-brute-force/OpenEMR version 7.0.1 is vulnerable to an authentication brute force attack where attackers can bypass rate limiting by sending repeated login attempts, leading to potential unauthorized access.OpenEMR 7.0.1 is susceptible to an authentication brute force vulnerability (CVE-2023-54347) that allows attackers to bypass rate limiting protections. By sending repeated login attempts to the main login endpoint via POST requests, attackers can systematically test username and password combinations without triggering account lockout mechanisms. This vulnerability was reported in October 2023 and poses a significant risk to organizations using OpenEMR for managing sensitive patient data. Successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to protected health information (PHI) and other confidential data.

Attack Chain

  1. The attacker identifies an OpenEMR 7.0.1 instance accessible over the network.
  2. The attacker crafts a series of HTTP POST requests targeting the main login endpoint, typically /interface/login/login.php or a similar path.
  3. Each POST request includes the authUser parameter containing a potential username and the clearPass parameter containing a password attempt.
  4. The attacker uses a script or tool to automate the process of sending numerous login attempts with different username and password combinations.
  5. Due to the lack of effective rate limiting or account lockout, the attacker can attempt thousands of combinations without being blocked.
  6. If a valid username and password combination is found, the server responds with a successful authentication token or redirects the attacker to an authenticated session.
  7. The attacker gains unauthorized access to the OpenEMR system, potentially accessing patient records, medical history, and other sensitive data.

Impact

Successful exploitation of this brute force vulnerability can result in unauthorized access to sensitive patient data stored within OpenEMR. This could lead to breaches of confidentiality, violation of HIPAA regulations, and potential legal and financial repercussions for healthcare providers. The number of affected installations is currently unknown, but any organization using OpenEMR 7.0.1 is potentially at risk. A successful attack can compromise patient privacy, disrupt healthcare operations, and damage the reputation of the affected organization.

Recommendation

  • Deploy the Sigma rule OpenEMR Brute Force Login Attempts to detect high volumes of login attempts originating from a single source IP address.
  • Apply robust rate limiting to the OpenEMR login endpoint to mitigate brute force attacks.
  • Implement strong password policies, including complexity requirements and regular password changes, to increase the difficulty of successful brute force attacks.
  • Upgrade to a patched version of OpenEMR that addresses CVE-2023-54347 or apply the vendor-supplied patch.
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