Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
OpenClinic GA 5.173.3 has a SQL injection issue in getAssets.jsp. A logged-in attacker could manipulate the code parameter and potentially read or change limited database data. The available sources do not show confirmed active exploitation or a named fixed version.
Executive priority
Treat as a moderate-priority application security issue. Prioritize affected healthcare or clinical systems exposed to many users or the internet, but do not classify as emergency without exploitation evidence.
Technical view
CVE-2020-27238 is CWE-89 SQL injection in the getAssets.jsp code parameter for OpenClinic GA 5.173.3. CVSS 3.0 is 6.4 with network access, low complexity, low privileges, no user interaction, changed scope, and low confidentiality/integrity impact. The description inconsistently says unauthenticated and authenticated; CVSS indicates privileges are required.
Likely exposure
Exposure is limited to organizations running OpenClinic GA 5.173.3 where authenticated users can reach getAssets.jsp. Internet-facing portals or broad user access increase risk. The sources do not identify other affected versions.
Exploitation context
The source bundle does not show CISA KEV listing or confirmed active exploitation. The vulnerability is described as exploitable by HTTP request, but practical risk depends on authentication, route exposure, and database privileges.
Researcher notes
Talos identifies getAssets.jsp and the code parameter as the vulnerable surface. CVSS requires low privileges, while the text also mentions unauthenticated injection; treat authentication requirements as source-ambiguous and validate locally without assuming unauthenticated exposure.
Mitigation direction
- Inventory OpenClinic deployments and identify any GA 5.173.3 instances.
- Check OpenClinic and Talos guidance for fixed versions or vendor-supported remediation.
- Restrict access to OpenClinic administrative or clinical web paths where feasible.
- Review application and database logs for unusual getAssets.jsp code parameter activity.
- Prioritize remediation for internet-facing or broadly accessible instances.
Validation and detection
- Confirm the deployed OpenClinic version and whether GA 5.173.3 is present.
- Verify whether getAssets.jsp is reachable by authenticated users in your environment.
- Review role access to the affected page and reduce unnecessary privileges.
- Check logs for anomalous requests involving getAssets.jsp and the code parameter.
- Document whether compensating controls cover the affected route.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.
ATT&CK lookup starting points
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
CWE-89: Database access and collection lookup
Injection into data stores can inform collection, data access, and exfiltration detection reviews. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupDatabase behavior lookup
The CVE wording references database injection or access, so collection and exfiltration review may help. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2020-27238 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- Medium
- CVSS
- 6.4 (3.0)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N
CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5
These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.
CVSS vector scores
1 official scoreWe collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.
CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N3.12.7Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.0 score
6.4MediumVector: CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://talosintelligence.com/vulnerability_reports/TALOS-2020-1207CVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.
Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command ('SQL Injection')
Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command ('SQL Injection') represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.