CVE-2026-13542 Overview
CVE-2026-13542 is a SQL injection vulnerability in itsourcecode Hospital Management System 1.0. The flaw resides in the /doctorprofile.php script, where the doctorname parameter is passed to a database query without proper sanitization. Remote attackers with low-privilege access can manipulate the parameter to inject arbitrary SQL statements. The exploit has been publicly disclosed, increasing the likelihood of opportunistic abuse against exposed instances. This weakness is classified under [CWE-74] (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component).
Critical Impact
Authenticated remote attackers can inject SQL through the doctorname parameter in /doctorprofile.php, exposing hospital records stored in the backend database.
Affected Products
- itsourcecode Hospital Management System 1.0
- Component: /doctorprofile.php
- Vulnerable parameter: doctorname
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-06-29 - CVE-2026-13542 published to NVD
- 2026-06-30 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2026-13542
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability exists in the doctor profile handler of itsourcecode Hospital Management System 1.0. The /doctorprofile.php script accepts a doctorname argument and incorporates it into a SQL query without parameterization or input filtering. An attacker submits crafted input that breaks out of the intended query context and appends arbitrary SQL clauses. Because the application executes the constructed statement with the database user's privileges, the attacker can read, modify, or exfiltrate stored records. Public disclosure of the exploit lowers the barrier for reproduction. The EPSS probability currently sits at 0.2%, indicating limited but non-zero prediction of near-term exploitation activity.
Root Cause
The root cause is improper neutralization of user-supplied input passed into a SQL statement. The doctorname parameter is concatenated into the query string rather than bound as a prepared statement parameter. This design pattern allows metacharacters such as single quotes and comment sequences to alter query semantics.
Attack Vector
Exploitation occurs over the network against the vulnerable PHP endpoint. The attacker requires low-level privileges to reach the authenticated /doctorprofile.php handler. No user interaction is required, and the attack complexity is low. A crafted HTTP request containing a malicious doctorname value triggers the injection. See the GitHub Issue Tracker Entry and VulDB CVE-2026-13542 for reproduction details.
Detection Methods for CVE-2026-13542
Indicators of Compromise
- HTTP requests to /doctorprofile.php containing SQL metacharacters such as ', --, UNION SELECT, or OR 1=1 within the doctorname parameter.
- Database error messages or unexpected 500 responses returned from /doctorprofile.php in web server logs.
- Anomalous outbound traffic from the application server following requests to the doctor profile endpoint.
Detection Strategies
- Deploy web application firewall rules that inspect the doctorname parameter for SQL injection payload patterns.
- Enable database query logging and alert on unusual SELECT, UNION, or INFORMATION_SCHEMA activity originating from the Hospital Management System's database user.
- Correlate authentication events with subsequent access to /doctorprofile.php to identify low-privilege accounts probing the endpoint.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Monitor web server access logs for repeated requests to /doctorprofile.php with encoded special characters (%27, %22, %3B).
- Track error rates on the doctor profile endpoint to catch enumeration attempts that trigger malformed SQL.
- Baseline normal query volume for the backend database and alert on spikes tied to the application user.
How to Mitigate CVE-2026-13542
Immediate Actions Required
- Restrict network access to the Hospital Management System deployment until a patched build is available.
- Audit accounts authorized to reach /doctorprofile.php and revoke unnecessary low-privilege access.
- Review database logs for evidence of prior injection attempts targeting the doctorname parameter.
Patch Information
No vendor patch is referenced in the published advisory. Track updates through the IT Source Code project site and the VulDB Vulnerability #374550 entry for remediation announcements.
Workarounds
- Place the application behind a web application firewall configured to block SQL injection payloads on the doctorname parameter.
- Modify the vulnerable query in /doctorprofile.php to use parameterized statements or prepared queries with bound variables.
- Apply least-privilege configuration to the database account used by the application, removing rights beyond those required for normal operation.
- Enforce strict server-side input validation on doctorname, allowing only expected character sets such as alphanumerics and spaces.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
