Appsecure logo

CVE-2025-25474: Medium Vulnerability in Debian DCMTK

A medium-severity buffer overflow vulnerability has been discovered in DCMTK v3.6.9+. Organizations should address this vulnerability promptly to avoid potential exploits. No public exploit currently exists, but the risk to systems is notable.

MEDIUMCVSS 6.5 · Published February 18, 2025

Not a customer? See how AppSecure simulates real world attacks to protect your infrastructure.

Speak to Experts

DCMTK v3.6.9+ DEV was discovered to contain a buffer overflow via the component /dcmimgle/diinpxt.h. This vulnerability has been classified with a CVSS score of 6.5, indicating a medium severity level that should not be ignored by organizations utilizing this software. As the vulnerability is network-exploitable and has low attack complexity, it poses a real risk to systems that rely on this component.

Risk to organizations includes unauthorized access and potential system compromise. Although no public exploit has been confirmed, the buffer overflow nature of this vulnerability makes it crucial for organizations to prioritize remediation. Organizations should address this vulnerability in their priority patch cycle.

The vulnerability was published on February 18, 2025, and is already being tracked by security teams. Organizations using affected versions of DCMTK should review their systems to mitigate potential risks. Immediate action is recommended to ensure systems are not vulnerable.

Understanding the nature of this vulnerability and its implications is essential for maintaining security in environments that depend on DCMTK. Effective risk management can help mitigate potential threats associated with this vulnerability.

Vulnerability Details

The vulnerability allows a buffer overflow due to improper handling of input data within the DCMTK library. The CVSS score of 6.5 categorizes this vulnerability as medium severity, indicating that while it is not the highest risk, it still poses a significant threat to systems that utilize this library. The vulnerability affects DCMTK versions 3.6.9 and later, specifically in the Debian Linux environment.

The publication date of this vulnerability is February 18, 2025, and it is classified under CWE-120, which pertains to buffer errors. Organizations must ensure they are using updated versions of the affected software to prevent exploitation.

Technical Analysis

The root cause of the vulnerability lies in the buffer overflow within the DCMTK component. The attack vector for this vulnerability is network-based, and the attack complexity is low, requiring no privileges or user interaction to exploit. The impact on confidentiality and integrity is classified as low, while availability impact is none.

Given the low privileges required and the absence of user interaction, this vulnerability could be leveraged by attackers to manipulate data or gain unauthorized access without detection in various deployment environments.

Risk & Impact Analysis

Real-world deployment risk is notable as this vulnerability allows for potential unauthorized access to systems using DCMTK. The blast radius potential is significant due to the widespread use of this library in medical imaging applications. Organizations should assess their exposure and prioritize remediation based on the CVSS score and potential impact.

Given the medium severity classification, organizations should schedule remediation as part of their regular patch management cycle. Ensuring systems are updated can mitigate the risk associated with this vulnerability.

Exploitation Status

Signal

Status

Known Exploit

No

Public PoC

No

Actively Exploited

No

Ransomware Use

No

Affected Versions

The vulnerable versions include DCMTK v3.6.9 and later, as well as Debian Linux version 11.0. Organizations should ensure all instances of these versions are updated to mitigate the risks associated with this vulnerability.

Mitigation & Remediation

Organizations should apply patches available for DCMTK to address this vulnerability. It is crucial to upgrade to the latest version to benefit from security improvements. If a patch is not immediately available, implementing network controls to limit exposure and monitoring systems for anomalous behavior can serve as interim mitigations. For comprehensive security, organizations may also consider engaging in penetration testing to identify any additional vulnerabilities.

Detection Guidance

To detect potential exploitation attempts, organizations should monitor logs for irregular access patterns and unexpected behavior. Indicators of compromise may include unusual network traffic targeting the DCMTK components. Additionally, behavioral anomalies in user activity can indicate attempts to exploit this vulnerability.

AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight

The emergence of CVE-2025-25474 highlights the ongoing need for vigilance in software security practices. Organizations should consider this vulnerability an opportunity to review their security posture, particularly in areas related to network security and software management. As part of a comprehensive security strategy, implementing penetration testing methodologies can assist in uncovering similar vulnerabilities across other components. Furthermore, maintaining an updated knowledge base about potential vulnerabilities and threat patterns is crucial for proactive defense.

Organizations should also engage in regular security assessments to ensure their defenses are robust against emerging threats. This incident serves as a reminder that vulnerabilities can arise in widely used components, necessitating ongoing attention to security best practices.

Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.

Latest CVEs. Recently published vulnerabilities from the NVD database.

View all vulnerabilities
CVE IDSeverity
CVE-2025-65418HIGH
CVE-2025-65417MEDIUM
CVE-2025-65416MEDIUM
CVE-2025-65415MEDIUM
CVE-2025-61314HIGH

Protect Your Business with Hacker-Focused Approach.