Attack ChainAIDerived
Hypothetical attack flow derived from CVE metadata – not a confirmed exploit chain
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AccessAuthenticate as high-privilege user
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DeliveryAccess backup functionality
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ExploitInject OS commands in backup parameters
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ExecutionExecute arbitrary system commands
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ImpactCompromise entire OpenEMR system and data
Vulnerability Assessment
| Weakness |
CWE
OWASP Top 10:2025
A05:2025 - Injection
ASVS 5.0
V1 - Encoding and Sanitization OS command sanitization, avoid shell exec
MITRE ATT&CK
2 techniques across 1 tactic: Execution The technique list with ATT&CK links and the kill-chain view is part of the Basic plan and up. |
| Exploitation Conditions | Requires authenticated access with high-privilege role (administrator or backup user) in OpenEMR versions prior to 8.0.0.2. Attacker must have permission to access the backup functionality to inject arbitrary OS commands executed with application privileges. |
| Impact | While the CVSS 9.1 score indicates critical severity due to high impact across confidentiality, integrity, and availability with scope change, the real-world risk is moderated by the requirement for high privileges (PR:H). The network-based attack vector (AV:N) with low complexity (AC:L) suggests easy exploitation once authenticated, but the attacker must first obtain administrative credentials. No EPSS data, KEV listing, or public exploits are currently available, indicating this is not being actively exploited in the wild. The vulnerability follows a common pattern of command injection flaws that are straightforward to exploit once discovered but require significant access rights, making it a priority for organizations using OpenEMR but not an immediate crisis. |
| Exploit ScenarioDerived | An attacker who has compromised or obtained high-privilege credentials to an OpenEMR installation could navigate to the backup functionality and inject malicious commands through unvalidated input fields. These commands would execute with the web server's privileges, potentially allowing the attacker to access sensitive patient data, modify health records, or pivot to other systems on the network. Given the low attack complexity and network-based vector, exploitation would be straightforward once administrative access is obtained. |
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Alert meAnalysisAIv1 – Mar 19, 2026
Command injection in OpenEMR's backup functionality (versions prior to 8.0.0.2) allows authenticated high-privilege users to execute arbitrary commands on the underlying system due to insufficient input validation. The CVSS 9.1 critical rating reflects the potential for complete system compromise, though exploitation requires valid administrative credentials. No patch is currently available for affected versions.
Earlier versions of this analysis (1)
A command injection vulnerability in OpenEMR's backup functionality allows authenticated attackers with high privileges to execute arbitrary system commands on the server. The vulnerability affects all versions prior to 8.0.0.2 of this open-source electronic health records system and carries a critical CVSS score of 9.1. No active exploitation or public proof-of-concept has been identified, and the issue has been patched in version 8.0.0.2.
RemediationAI
Upgrade OpenEMR to version 8.0.0.2 or later, which contains the security fix documented in commit 7bc7bd077a624e205daed17658de41af6070ef73 (https://github.com/openemr/openemr/commit/7bc7bd077a624e205daed17658de41af6070ef73). Until patching is possible, restrict administrative access to trusted users only, implement network segmentation to limit access to the OpenEMR instance, and monitor system logs for suspicious command execution patterns. Review the full security advisory at https://github.com/openemr/openemr/security/advisories/GHSA-6pmc-3xm7-pm86 for additional context.
Affected VersionsENISA
Affected Packages
Source: OSV (Open Source Vulnerabilities)
Affects your stack
Affects 1 package in euvd
Checking this CVE against your own stacks and servers is part of the Basic plan and up.
Technical ContextAI · show details
OpenEMR is an open-source electronic health records and medical practice management application, identified by CPE cpe:2.3:a:openemr:openemr:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*. The vulnerability is classified as CWE-78 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command), which occurs when user-supplied input is passed directly to system commands without proper sanitization. In this case, the backup functionality fails to properly validate input parameters before incorporating them into system commands, allowing attackers to inject additional commands that will be executed with the application's privileges.
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- Exploit and PoC references, threat intelligence from 22 sources
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Severity by source
AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H
Primary rating from GitHub Advisory · only source for this CVE.
CVSS VectorGitHub Advisory
Lifecycle Timeline
3DescriptionGitHub Advisory
OpenEMR is a free and open source electronic health records and medical practice management application. Versions prior to 8.0.0.2 contain a Command injection vulnerability in the backup functionality that can be exploited by authenticated attackers. The vulnerability exists due to insufficient input validation in the backup functionality. Version 8.0.0.2 fixes the issue.
Executive ViewAI
CVE-2026-32238 affects OpenEMR versions before 8.0.0.2 and allows authenticated administrators to execute arbitrary system commands through the backup functionality, potentially compromising the entire healthcare application and underlying infrastructure. Organizations running vulnerable OpenEMR versions face risk of complete system takeover by insider threats or compromised administrative accounts, requiring immediate inventory and upgrade action.
Vendor-released patch: OpenEMR 8.0.0.2. If upgrade is delayed: (1) Restrict backup function access via role-based access control to only essential administrators; (2) Implement OS-level command audit logging for backup processes; (3) Disable remote administration capabilities if unused; (4) Monitor and alert on any backup job execution events.
Threat Intelligence Overview
How this decision was reached
The engine reads each signal below and applies a fixed list of rules from top to bottom. The first rule that matches sets the recommended action – like a statement, every line is shown.
What every action level means
SSVC AssessmentENISA
Priority Score
Attack Technique
OS command injection occurs when an application passes unsanitized user input directly into system shell commands.
An authenticated SQL injection vulnerability exists in OpenEMR ≤ 4.1.1 Patch 14 that allows a low-privileged attacker to
Unauthenticated token disclosure in OpenEMR before 8.0.0. CVSS 10.0. PoC and patch available.
Path traversal in OpenEMR 7.0.4 disposeDocument() allows file access. PoC available.
Path traversal in OpenEMR electronic health records before fix allows authenticated users to read arbitrary files on the
SQL injection in OpenEMR electronic health records before fix. Authenticated users can execute arbitrary SQL through the
OpenEMR 7.0.2 is vulnerable to SQL Injection via \openemr\library\classes\Pharmacy.class.php, \controllers\C_Pharmacy.cl
An issue in OpenEMR 7.0.2 allows a remote attacker to escalate privileges viaa crafted POST request using the noteid par
Information disclosure in OpenEMR 5.0.2 to before 8.0.0 exposes sensitive data. PoC and patch available.
Remote code execution in OpenEMR through 8.2.0 lets an authenticated administrator poison the document category tree so
interface/fax/fax_dispatch.php in OpenEMR 4.1.0 allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary commands via shel
interface/globals.php in OpenEMR 2.x, 3.x, and 4.x before 4.2.0 patch 2 allows remote attackers to bypass authentication
Authentication bypass vulnerability in portal/account/register.php in versions of OpenEMR before 5.0.1.4 allows a remote
EUVD-2026-13158
NVD
CVE.org
EPSS
GitHub
VulDB
Exploit-DB