CVE-2026-82583: NextGen Connect SQL Injection Vulnerability

CVE-2026-82583 Overview

CVE-2026-82583 is a SQL injection vulnerability [CWE-89] affecting NextGen Connect (Mirth Connect) versions 4.7.1 and earlier. An authenticated user can execute arbitrary SQL statements through the Database Connector API. Successful exploitation exposes stored credentials for connected systems, permits arbitrary file writes, and can trigger a denial-of-service condition. Mirth Connect is widely used as a healthcare integration engine for exchanging HL7, FHIR, and other clinical data across hospital systems, which places this flaw in scope for CISA's medical device advisory program. CISA published the issue under advisory ICSMA-26-253-01.

Critical Impact
Authenticated attackers can extract credentials for downstream systems, write arbitrary files to the Mirth Connect host, and disrupt healthcare integration workflows.

Affected Products

NextGen Connect (Mirth Connect) 4.7.1
NextGen Connect (Mirth Connect) versions prior to 4.7.1
Deployments exposing the Database Connector API to authenticated users

Discovery Timeline

2026-09-11 - CVE-2026-82583 published to the National Vulnerability Database
2026-09-18 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2026-82583

Vulnerability Analysis

The Database Connector API in Mirth Connect accepts SQL statements from authenticated users and passes them to the underlying database driver without sufficient restriction. Because the connector was designed to execute operator-defined queries against integration targets, an authenticated user can supply SQL that reads sensitive tables, invokes database-native file operations, or issues expensive queries that stall the service. The impact goes beyond information disclosure. Many database engines expose file-write primitives such as SELECT ... INTO OUTFILE or COPY ... TO, which allow attackers to drop attacker-controlled files on the Mirth Connect host or connected database server. Because Mirth Connect brokers clinical data between electronic health record systems, credential disclosure from this endpoint can cascade into unauthorized access to hospital information systems.

Root Cause

The root cause is improper neutralization of special elements used in a SQL command [CWE-89] within the Database Connector API. The connector executes user-supplied SQL directly against configured data sources instead of restricting statement types or scoping access to the caller's authorization level.

Attack Vector

Exploitation requires network access to the Mirth Connect administrative API and valid low-privilege credentials. An authenticated user issues a crafted request to the Database Connector API containing SQL that targets credential stores, invokes file-write functions, or generates resource-intensive operations. No user interaction is required. No verified public exploit code is available at this time, and CISA has not added CVE-2026-82583 to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.

No verified proof-of-concept code is publicly available. Refer to the CISA Medical Advisory ICSMA-26-253-01 for vendor-coordinated technical details.

Detection Methods for CVE-2026-82583

Indicators of Compromise

Unexpected invocations of the Mirth Connect Database Connector API by non-administrative accounts.
Database server logs showing SELECT INTO OUTFILE, COPY TO, xp_cmdshell, or UNION SELECT statements originating from the Mirth Connect service account.
New or modified files in Mirth Connect application directories or database data directories that do not correspond to deployments.
Outbound connections from Mirth Connect hosts to attacker-controlled destinations shortly after Database Connector activity.

Detection Strategies

Enable audit logging on Mirth Connect and forward events to a centralized SIEM for correlation with database and host telemetry.
Alert on SQL statements from the Mirth Connect service that reference credential tables, file I/O functions, or system stored procedures.
Baseline normal Database Connector query patterns per channel and flag deviations in statement structure or target objects.

Monitoring Recommendations

Monitor authentication events to the Mirth Connect Administrator API and alert on new or low-privilege accounts accessing Database Connector endpoints.
Track process and file-system activity on Mirth Connect hosts to detect files written by the Java process outside expected paths.
Review database service accounts used by Mirth Connect for privilege creep, and alert on use of DBA-level privileges from the integration engine.

How to Mitigate CVE-2026-82583

Immediate Actions Required

Upgrade NextGen Connect (Mirth Connect) to a fixed release beyond 4.7.1 as identified in CISA Medical Advisory ICSMA-26-253-01.
Restrict access to the Mirth Connect Administrator API to trusted management networks only.
Audit all Mirth Connect user accounts and remove or disable accounts that do not require Database Connector access.
Rotate credentials stored in Mirth Connect channels for any connected database or downstream system.

Patch Information

Refer to the vendor guidance referenced in the CISA Medical Advisory ICSMA-26-253-01 and the associated GitHub CSAF File for fixed versions and upgrade procedures. Apply the patch on all Mirth Connect instances, including test and disaster-recovery environments.

Workarounds

Place Mirth Connect behind a VPN or jump host and block direct exposure of the Administrator API to untrusted networks.
Configure database service accounts used by Mirth Connect with least privilege, denying FILE, xp_cmdshell, and other file or command primitives.
Enforce strong authentication and unique credentials for every Mirth Connect user, and disable default or shared accounts.
Segment Mirth Connect hosts from clinical networks so that credential compromise does not grant lateral access to EHR systems.

bash

# Example: restrict Mirth Connect Administrator API to a management subnet using iptables
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 8443 -s 10.10.20.0/24 -j ACCEPT
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 8443 -j DROP