openemr: Improper Authentication
CVE-2026-24898 is a critical-severity improper authentication vulnerability in openemr, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.8 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. Affected openemr versions: < 8.0.0. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 2.42% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 84% of scored CVEs.
Critical severity: a successful attack would have severe impact.
What to do
- Check which version of openemr you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
- Read the advisory on github.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
Affected products and versions
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | 10.0 | Critical | CNA (github.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 9.8 | Critical | NVD |
Official description
OpenEMR is a free and open source electronic health records and medical practice management application. Prior to 8.0.0, an unauthenticated token disclosure vulnerability in the MedEx callback endpoint allows any unauthenticated visitor to obtain the practice's MedEx API tokens, leading to complete third-party service compromise, PHI exfiltration, unauthorized actions on the MedEx platform, and HIPAA violations. The vulnerability exists because the endpoint bypasses authentication ($ignoreAuth = true) and performs a MedEx login whenever $_POST['callback_key'] is provided, returning the full JSON response including sensitive API tokens. This vulnerability is fixed in 8.0.0.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Improper Authentication
When an actor claims to have a given identity, the product does not prove or insufficiently proves that the claim is correct.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Use an authentication framework or library such as the OWASP ESAPI Authentication feature.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: yes, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Advisories
Patches and release notes
Other vulnerabilities in openemr
- 7.1 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 7.6 High severity
- 7.2 High severity
- 7.7 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
Recent Improper Authentication vulnerabilities
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 10.0 Critical severity
- 7.5 High severity
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