CVE-2026-2154 identifies a cross-site scripting vulnerability in the SourceCodester Patients Waiting Area Queue Management System version 1.0, specifically within the Patient Registration Module's /registration.php file. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input sanitization of the 'First Name' parameter, allowing attackers to inject arbitrary JavaScript code. This flaw enables remote exploitation without requiring authentication, although it necessitates user interaction, such as a victim submitting or viewing malicious input. The vulnerability can be exploited by crafting malicious payloads that execute in the context of the victim’s browser session, potentially leading to session hijacking, theft of sensitive patient data, or unauthorized actions performed on behalf of the user. The exploit code is publicly available, increasing the risk of exploitation despite no known active attacks currently. The vulnerability affects version 1.0 of the product, which is used in healthcare settings to manage patient queues and registrations, making confidentiality and integrity of patient data critical concerns. The CVSS 4.0 vector indicates network attack vector, low attack complexity, no privileges required, no user interaction required for the attacker but user interaction is needed for the victim, and limited impact on integrity and no impact on confidentiality or availability. The medium severity rating reflects the moderate risk posed by this vulnerability. No official patches have been linked yet, so mitigation relies on input validation, output encoding, and protective controls such as web application firewalls. Given the healthcare context, exploitation could disrupt patient management and expose sensitive information, necessitating timely remediation.

For European organizations, particularly those in the healthcare sector using the SourceCodester Patients Waiting Area Queue Management System, this vulnerability poses a risk to patient data confidentiality and integrity. Exploitation could allow attackers to execute malicious scripts in users’ browsers, leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized actions within the application. This could disrupt patient registration and queue management workflows, potentially delaying care and impacting operational efficiency. Additionally, compromised patient data could lead to regulatory non-compliance under GDPR, resulting in legal and financial penalties. The public availability of exploit code increases the likelihood of opportunistic attacks, especially targeting healthcare providers who may have limited resources for rapid patching. While the vulnerability does not directly affect system availability, the indirect effects of compromised data and trust could be significant. European healthcare providers must consider these impacts seriously to maintain patient trust and comply with data protection regulations.

1. Implement strict input validation on the 'First Name' parameter in the /registration.php file to ensure that only expected characters are accepted, rejecting or sanitizing any potentially malicious input. 2. Apply proper output encoding (e.g., HTML entity encoding) before rendering user-supplied data in the web interface to prevent script execution. 3. Deploy a web application firewall (WAF) configured to detect and block common XSS attack patterns targeting the affected module. 4. Monitor web application logs for suspicious input patterns or repeated attempts to exploit the vulnerability. 5. Engage with the vendor or community to obtain and apply official patches or updates as soon as they become available. 6. Conduct security awareness training for staff to recognize phishing or social engineering attempts that could leverage this vulnerability. 7. Where possible, isolate the affected system within the network and restrict access to trusted users to minimize exposure. 8. Regularly review and update security policies and incident response plans to address potential exploitation scenarios related to XSS vulnerabilities.