CVE-2022-28668 in DICOM Viewer Pro
Summary
by MITRE • 08/03/2022
This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected installations of Sante DICOM Viewer Pro 11.9.2. User interaction is required to exploit this vulnerability in that the target must visit a malicious page or open a malicious file. The specific flaw exists within the parsing of J2K files. The issue results from the lack of proper validation of user-supplied data, which can result in a write past the end of an allocated data structure. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of the current process. Was ZDI-CAN-16679.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/04/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-28668 represents a critical remote code execution flaw in Sante DICOM Viewer Pro version 11.9.2, a medical imaging software used for viewing and managing digital imaging and communications in medicine files. This vulnerability operates under the framework of CWE-129, which addresses improper validation of input boundaries, specifically manifesting as insufficient checking of array indices or buffer limits. The flaw resides within the software's handling of JPEG 2000 file format parsing, making it particularly dangerous given the widespread use of DICOM files in healthcare environments where sensitive patient data is routinely processed.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate validation mechanisms during the parsing of J2K files, which are a subset of the broader JPEG 2000 standard used extensively in medical imaging applications. When the software processes a malformed or maliciously crafted J2K file, it fails to properly validate user-supplied data before attempting to write to memory locations. This oversight creates a buffer overflow condition where an attacker can write past the end of an allocated data structure, potentially overwriting adjacent memory locations including function pointers, return addresses, or other critical program variables. The vulnerability operates at the memory management level, specifically targeting heap-based buffer overflows that are classified under the ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as exploitation typically involves crafting malicious input that triggers code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it allows attackers to operate within the security context of the currently running process, potentially gaining full control over the affected system. In healthcare environments where Sante DICOM Viewer Pro is commonly deployed, this represents a severe threat vector since attackers could access sensitive patient medical records, manipulate imaging data, or establish persistent access points within hospital networks. The requirement for user interaction through visiting malicious web pages or opening malicious files aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which involves social engineering tactics to deliver malicious payloads, making the vulnerability particularly insidious as it can be propagated through phishing campaigns or compromised medical imaging servers. The vulnerability's classification under ZDI-CAN-16679 further emphasizes its significance in the cybersecurity landscape, as it represents a known weakness that has been documented and tracked by major vulnerability databases.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-28668 should prioritize immediate patching of the affected Sante DICOM Viewer Pro version 11.9.2, as this represents the most effective defense against exploitation. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to medical imaging systems and deploy web application firewalls to filter potentially malicious content. Additionally, user education programs should be established to raise awareness about the risks of opening untrusted files or visiting suspicious websites, particularly in environments where DICOM files are frequently handled. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual file access patterns or memory allocation behaviors that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's nature also suggests implementing input validation controls and bounds checking mechanisms within the software's file parsing routines to prevent similar issues in future implementations. Organizations should also consider implementing principle of least privilege access controls and regular security assessments to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities across their medical imaging infrastructure.