CVE-2025-25475 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting DCMTK, specifically in the component /libsrc/dcrleccd.cc. This vulnerability allows a NULL pointer dereference, enabling attackers to cause a Denial of Service (DoS) through a specially crafted DICOM file. The CVSS score of 7.5 indicates that this vulnerability poses significant risk, particularly as it can be exploited over a network with low attack complexity and no user interaction required.
The urgency for organizations to address this vulnerability is high, as it can lead to service disruptions. There is currently no public exploit confirmed, but the nature of the vulnerability makes it a potential target for attackers. Organizations using DCMTK should prioritize patching this vulnerability immediately to prevent any potential service interruptions.
Published on February 18, 2025, and with the last modification on November 4, 2025, this vulnerability is now a critical concern for users of the affected software. Organizations must assess their usage of DCMTK and implement necessary updates to mitigate associated risks.
With an exploitability score of 3.9 and a significant availability impact, the real-world risk context is clear: failure to patch could result in severe operational challenges. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-476, which involves NULL pointer dereference issues.
Organizations are urged to initiate their patching processes without delay to ensure continuity of service and safeguard against potential exploitation.
Vulnerability Details
A NULL pointer dereference in the component /libsrc/dcrleccd.cc of DCMTK v3.6.9+ DEV allows attackers to cause a Denial of Service (DoS) via a crafted DICOM file. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-476, indicating a flaw that can lead to application crashes or service unavailability.
The CVSS score assigned to this vulnerability is 7.5, categorizing it as high severity due to its potential to disrupt availability. The attack vector is network-based, with low complexity, meaning that attackers can leverage this vulnerability without advanced skills. Privileges required for exploitation are none, and no user interaction is needed.
The affected products include DCMTK and Debian Linux 11.0, with the vulnerability present in all versions prior to the vendor patch.
This vulnerability was made public on February 18, 2025, creating a pressing need for remediation efforts from organizations utilizing these products.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability is a NULL pointer dereference, which occurs when the application attempts to access memory that has not been allocated. The attack vector is via network, allowing remote attackers to send specially crafted DICOM files that exploit this flaw.
Due to the low attack complexity, even attackers with minimal skills can trigger this vulnerability. It requires no privileges, and user interaction is not necessary, making it particularly dangerous. The impact on availability is high, as successful exploitation could lead to the application crashing.
The confidentiality and integrity impacts are rated as none, meaning that exploitation of this vulnerability does not lead to unauthorized access or data manipulation. However, the availability impact signals a critical need for immediate attention from organizations reliant on the affected software.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Risk to organizations includes potential service disruptions resulting from successful exploitation of this vulnerability. Given that the attack vector is network-based, it exposes systems to remote attackers who can leverage this vulnerability without requiring any user interaction.
The blast radius for this vulnerability is significant, affecting any organization utilizing DCMTK or Debian Linux 11.0, which could lead to widespread availability issues across services relying on these components.
Organizations should prioritize patching immediately to mitigate risks associated with this vulnerability. The low user interaction requirement and network attack vector make it particularly concerning, as attackers can exploit it from anywhere without needing to trick users into performing any actions.
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The affected versions include DCMTK v3.6.9 and Debian Linux 11.0. All versions prior to vendor patch are vulnerable, necessitating immediate updates to mitigate risks.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should apply patches to the affected versions of DCMTK and Debian Linux to remediate this vulnerability. If a patch is unavailable, consider implementing workarounds such as network segmentation or strict access controls to limit exposure.
Configuration hardening and increased monitoring can help detect any anomalous behavior associated with this vulnerability. For detailed guidance, organizations may refer to best practices for continuous penetration testing to evaluate their security posture.
Detection Guidance
Monitoring logs for indicators of exploitation attempts is crucial. Look for behavioral anomalies such as unexpected crashes or service interruptions. Additionally, network signatures associated with malformed DICOM file transmissions should be established for early detection.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of CVE-2025-25475 lies in its demonstration of the vulnerabilities present in widely used components such as DCMTK. This vulnerability highlights the necessity for regular updates and vigilance in security practices.
Organizations should learn from this incident to bolster their security frameworks and consider adopting a vulnerability management program that allows for proactive identification and remediation of risks.
To further enhance their security posture, organizations could benefit from penetration testing methodologies that address the unique risks posed by their operational environment.
Ultimately, the strategic defensive takeaway from CVE-2025-25475 is the importance of integrating security at every level of development and deployment, ensuring that vulnerabilities are swiftly addressed to prevent exploitation.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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