CVE-2017-7990 : What You Need to Know

A vulnerability in version 1.12.0 of the Reporting Module for OpenMRS allows for CSRF attacks leading to XSS attacks, enabling an attacker to hijack administrative authentication and inject JavaScript code.

Understanding CVE-2017-7990

This CVE involves a security issue in the Reporting Module for OpenMRS, version 1.12.0.

What is CVE-2017-7990?

The vulnerability in the Reporting Module for OpenMRS version 1.12.0 permits Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) attacks, which can result in Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) attacks. This allows malicious actors to compromise administrative authentication and insert JavaScript code into the name field on the web page 'webapp/reports/manageReports.jsp'.

The Impact of CVE-2017-7990

The exploitation of this vulnerability can lead to severe consequences:

Unauthorized access to administrative privileges
Injection of malicious scripts into the application
Potential data theft or manipulation

Technical Details of CVE-2017-7990

This section provides more in-depth technical insights into the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in the Reporting Module for OpenMRS version 1.12.0 allows for CSRF attacks, resulting in XSS attacks where administrative authentication can be compromised to insert JavaScript into the name field on the specific web page.

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected System: Reporting Module for OpenMRS
Affected Version: 1.12.0

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability is exploited through CSRF attacks, enabling attackers to perform XSS attacks by injecting malicious JavaScript code into the name field on the 'webapp/reports/manageReports.jsp' page.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address and prevent the exploitation of CVE-2017-7990, follow these steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update to a patched version of the Reporting Module for OpenMRS
Implement strict input validation to prevent XSS attacks
Monitor and restrict access to sensitive administrative functions

Long-Term Security Practices

Regular security assessments and audits of the application
Employee training on secure coding practices and identifying vulnerabilities
Implementing a web application firewall to filter and block malicious traffic

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches and updates provided by OpenMRS promptly
Stay informed about security advisories and best practices to enhance system security