CVE-2026-2150 identifies a cross-site scripting vulnerability in the SourceCodester Patients Waiting Area Queue Management System version 1.0, specifically within the /checkin.php script. The vulnerability arises from improper sanitization of the patient_id parameter, which allows an attacker to inject malicious JavaScript code remotely. Since the attack vector is network accessible (AV:N) and requires no privileges (PR:N) or authentication (AT:N), it is relatively easy to exploit. However, user interaction is necessary (UI:P) to trigger the malicious script, such as a victim clicking a crafted link or visiting a malicious page that references the vulnerable system. The impact on confidentiality is limited but present (VI:L), as attackers can steal session cookies or perform actions on behalf of the user. Integrity and availability impacts are minimal or none. The CVSS 4.0 score of 5.3 reflects a medium severity level. No patches or official fixes have been published yet, and no active exploits have been observed in the wild, but proof-of-concept exploit code is available, increasing the risk of future attacks. The vulnerability highlights the need for secure coding practices, particularly input validation and output encoding to prevent injection of executable scripts in web applications handling sensitive healthcare data.

For European organizations, especially those in the healthcare sector using the affected queue management system, this vulnerability poses a risk to patient data confidentiality and trust in healthcare IT systems. Exploitation could allow attackers to hijack user sessions, steal credentials, or conduct phishing attacks by injecting malicious scripts into the web interface. This could lead to unauthorized access to patient information or manipulation of appointment data, potentially disrupting healthcare services. Although the vulnerability does not directly impact system availability or integrity at a high level, the indirect effects of compromised user accounts or data leakage could be significant. Given the sensitive nature of healthcare data and strict regulatory requirements such as GDPR, even medium-severity vulnerabilities can have serious legal and reputational consequences. European healthcare providers must consider this threat seriously to maintain compliance and protect patient privacy.

1. Implement strict input validation and output encoding on the patient_id parameter within /checkin.php to neutralize malicious scripts. 2. Deploy a web application firewall (WAF) configured to detect and block XSS attack patterns targeting the affected endpoint. 3. Monitor web server logs for unusual or suspicious requests containing script tags or encoded payloads targeting patient_id. 4. Educate users and staff about the risks of clicking unknown links or interacting with untrusted content that could trigger XSS payloads. 5. Engage with the vendor or community to obtain patches or updates addressing this vulnerability as soon as they become available. 6. Conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing focusing on web application vulnerabilities, especially in healthcare-related software. 7. Isolate or segment the queue management system within the network to limit exposure and potential lateral movement if compromised.