CVE-2018-25374 in MedDream PACS Server Premium
Summary
by MITRE • 05/26/2026
Softneta MedDream PACS Server Premium 6.7.1.1 contains a directory traversal vulnerability that allows unauthenticated attackers to read arbitrary files by manipulating the path parameter. Attackers can send requests to nocache.php with encoded backslash sequences to traverse directories and access sensitive files including system configuration and password files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/26/2026
The vulnerability in Softneta MedDream PACS Server Premium 6.7.1.1 represents a critical directory traversal flaw that exposes sensitive system information to unauthenticated attackers. This issue stems from inadequate input validation within the nocache.php script which fails to properly sanitize user-supplied path parameters. The vulnerability allows attackers to manipulate file paths through encoded backslash sequences, enabling them to navigate beyond the intended directory boundaries and access files that should remain restricted. Such a flaw fundamentally compromises the server's file system security model and creates opportunities for information disclosure attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with common directory traversal patterns found in web applications and adheres to the CWE-22 classification for improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious requests that include encoded backslash sequences such as %5c or ..%2f, which when processed by the vulnerable nocache.php endpoint can traverse directories and access sensitive system files. The impact extends beyond simple file reading capabilities to potentially expose system configuration files, password databases, and other critical information that could facilitate further exploitation. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous in medical environments where PACS servers store sensitive patient data and system credentials.
The operational impact of this vulnerability poses significant risks to healthcare organizations utilizing Softneta MedDream PACS Server Premium. Unauthenticated attackers can gain access to system configuration files that may contain database connection strings, encryption keys, and administrative credentials. The exposure of password files and configuration data could enable attackers to escalate privileges within the system or launch targeted attacks against other connected services. Additionally, the ability to read arbitrary files undermines the confidentiality and integrity of the entire PACS infrastructure, potentially compromising patient medical records and violating healthcare data protection regulations such as HIPAA. The vulnerability's exploitability without authentication makes it particularly dangerous as it requires no prior access credentials to initiate the attack.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including input validation and sanitization of path parameters within the nocache.php script, deployment of web application firewalls to detect and block malicious path traversal attempts, and comprehensive network segmentation to limit access to the PACS server. The remediation approach should follow established security practices such as implementing proper access controls, conducting regular security audits, and ensuring all system components are updated to the latest secure versions. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing monitoring and logging mechanisms to detect anomalous file access patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and the potential consequences of inadequate security controls in medical information systems. The flaw represents a clear violation of secure coding practices and emphasizes the need for comprehensive security testing throughout the software development lifecycle to prevent similar issues from arising in other medical imaging applications.