---
id: "CVE-2026-126427"
page: "https://infrastack.ai/live/CVE-2026-126427"
kind: "vulnerability"
aliases: ["CVE-2026-126427"]
title: "OpenEMR: idle sessions never time out, exposing patient records on unattended screens"
severity: "medium"
cvss: 4.6
epss: null
exploited: false
status: "open"
category: "runtime"
products: []
ecosystems: []
tags: ["healthcare", "openemr", "runtime", "self-hosted"]
not_affected_if: ["no-eye-exam-form-use", "openemr-8.5.0-or-later"]
published_at: "2026-11-13T10:17:49+00:00"
first_seen_at: "2026-11-13T10:47:21+00:00"
updated_at: "2026-11-13T10:58:48+00:00"
sources: [{"source": "nvd", "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-126427", "first_seen_at": "2026-11-13T10:47:21+00:00"}]
exploit_sources: []
---

# OpenEMR: idle sessions never time out, exposing patient records on unattended screens

Link for people: https://infrastack.ai/live/CVE-2026-126427 (this .md is for agents)

OpenEMR's Eye Exam form polls the server every 15 seconds in a way that resets the idle session timer, so automatic logoff never fires. Anyone who reaches an unattended logged-in workstation can view patient health information.

_Summary, check and fix written by a model from the sources; labelled as such._

## How to check

- Check the OpenEMR version in the admin footer or `version.php` and compare it with the fixed version below.
- Open the Eye Exam form and confirm whether the session still stays active while the screen is left idle.

## Fix

- OpenEMR: upgrade to `8.5.0` or later.

## Timeline

- 2026-11-13T10:47:21+00:00 nvd https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-126427

## Documents

- [advisory] Vendor advisory: github.com https://github.com/openemr/openemr/security/advisories/GHSA-fc6f-f47r-j9x8
- [advisory] Third-party advisory: www.vulncheck.com https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/openemr-before-8.5.0-idle-session-timeout-bypass-via-eye-exam-form

## From the sources

OpenEMR before 8.5.0 contains a session expiration vulnerability that prevents automatic logoff because the Eye Exam form's read-only poll omits skip_timeout_reset. Attackers with physical access to an unattended workstation can use the still-active session to view patient health information, since update_READONLY() resets the idle timer every 15 seconds.

---

_Free to read, with fair use of about 60 pages a minute. For higher limits or API access: sales@infrastack.ai_