CVE-2013-10044
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a critical vulnerability chain in OpenEMR where an authenticated attacker can perform SQL injection to steal administrator credentials, escalate privileges, then exploit an unrestricted file upload to achieve remote code execution. This affects OpenEMR versions up to 4.1.1 Patch 14. Organizations using vulnerable OpenEMR installations are at risk of complete system compromise.
💻 Affected Systems
- OpenEMR
📦 What is this software?
Openemr by Open Emr
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Full compromise of the OpenEMR application and underlying host system, allowing data theft, ransomware deployment, lateral movement, and persistent backdoor installation.
Likely Case
Unauthorized access to sensitive patient health information (PHI), administrative control of the OpenEMR system, and potential data exfiltration.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if proper network segmentation, WAF rules, and least privilege access controls are implemented, though the vulnerability remains present.
🎯 Exploit Status
Metasploit module available (openemr_sqli_privesc_upload.rb), multiple exploit-db entries exist, and the attack chain is well-documented.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Versions after 4.1.1 Patch 14
Vendor Advisory: https://www.open-emr.org/
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Backup your OpenEMR database and files. 2. Download the latest OpenEMR version from the official repository. 3. Follow the OpenEMR upgrade documentation for your specific version path. 4. Restart the web server and verify functionality.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Web Application Firewall (WAF) Rules
allImplement WAF rules to block SQL injection patterns and restrict file uploads to specific extensions.
Database User Privilege Reduction
linuxConfigure OpenEMR database user with minimal required privileges (no admin rights).
REVOKE ALL PRIVILEGES ON openemr.* FROM 'openemr_user'@'localhost';
GRANT SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE ON openemr.* TO 'openemr_user'@'localhost';
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict network segmentation to isolate OpenEMR from other critical systems
- Deploy file integrity monitoring on upload directories and disable unnecessary file upload functionality
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check OpenEMR version in the admin interface or by examining the codebase version files. If version is ≤ 4.1.1 Patch 14, it's vulnerable.Check Version:
grep -r "\$openemr_version" /path/to/openemr/ or check Admin → Version in OpenEMR interfaceVerify Fix Applied:
After upgrade, verify version is > 4.1.1 Patch 14 and test that SQL injection attempts are blocked and file uploads are properly restricted.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual SQL query patterns in database logs
- File uploads with executable extensions (.php, .exe) in web server logs
- Multiple failed login attempts followed by successful admin login
Network Indicators:
- POST requests with SQL injection payloads to OpenEMR endpoints
- Uploads of suspicious file types to OpenEMR
SIEM Query:
source="web_server_logs" AND (url="*sql*" OR url="*upload*" OR url="*admin*") AND status=200🔗 References
- https://github.com/openemr/openemr
- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/master/modules/exploits/unix/webapp/openemr_sqli_privesc_upload.rb
- https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/28329
- https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/28408
- https://www.open-emr.org/
- https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/openemr-sqli-priv-esc-rce
- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/master/modules/exploits/unix/webapp/openemr_sqli_privesc_upload.rb
- https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/28329
- https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/28408
