CVE-2024-1696 in Sante FFT Imaging
Summary
by MITRE • 03/11/2024
In Santesoft Sante FFT Imaging versions 1.4.1 and prior once a user opens a malicious DCM file on affected FFT Imaging installations, a local attacker could perform an out-of-bounds write, which could allow for arbitrary code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/18/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-1696 affects Santesoft Sante FFT Imaging software version 1.4.1 and earlier, representing a critical security flaw that could enable remote code execution through a seemingly benign digital medical imaging file format. This issue specifically manifests when a user opens a malicious DCM file, which is a standard format used for storing medical imaging data in DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine) systems. The vulnerability resides within the file parsing mechanism of the imaging software, where insufficient input validation allows maliciously crafted data to trigger unexpected behavior in the application's memory management. This particular flaw falls under the CWE-787 category of out-of-bounds write vulnerabilities, which represents a serious weakness in software security design that can lead to system compromise. The attack vector requires user interaction through opening a malicious file, making it a type of social engineering attack that leverages the trust users place in medical imaging files. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in healthcare environments where medical imaging systems process sensitive patient data and where the software may run with elevated privileges to access medical records and diagnostic information.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a precise manipulation of the DCM file structure that causes the application to write data beyond the allocated memory boundaries. When the FFT Imaging software attempts to parse the malicious file, it fails to properly validate the size and structure of the DICOM data elements, leading to an out-of-bounds write condition. This memory corruption can be leveraged by attackers to overwrite critical memory locations, potentially including function pointers or return addresses, which enables arbitrary code execution. The out-of-bounds write vulnerability typically occurs when the software does not properly check array indices or buffer sizes before writing data, allowing attackers to inject malicious code into memory regions that should remain protected. This type of vulnerability is classified under the MITRE ATT&CK framework as part of the technique T1203 - Exploitation for Client Execution, which involves using vulnerabilities to execute code on a victim's system through legitimate applications. The attack requires minimal privileges since it exploits a flaw in the application itself rather than requiring system-level access, making it particularly dangerous in environments where medical staff may inadvertently open malicious files.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it could potentially allow attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive medical information stored within the imaging system. In healthcare settings, this could lead to data breaches involving patient records, diagnostic images, and other confidential medical information that is protected under regulations such as HIPAA. The vulnerability's presence in a medical imaging system creates a significant risk to patient privacy and healthcare provider security, as attackers could use the compromised system as a foothold for further network exploration. The exploitation process requires only that a user opens a malicious file, which means that even basic security measures like email filtering may not prevent this attack. Healthcare organizations using affected software versions face potential regulatory violations and legal consequences if patient data is compromised through this vulnerability. The attack could also disrupt critical healthcare operations, as medical imaging systems are essential for diagnosis and treatment planning. Organizations may need to implement emergency patches or system isolation measures to prevent exploitation, which could temporarily impact medical workflow and diagnostic capabilities.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including patching the affected software to version 1.4.2 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the out-of-bounds write vulnerability. Security teams should also implement file validation controls and restrict user access to only trusted medical imaging files, particularly those from external sources. Network segmentation and monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual file access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation in medical software systems, where the stakes are particularly high due to the sensitive nature of the data involved. Regular security assessments of medical imaging systems should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities that could be exploited through other file formats or attack vectors. The incident highlights the need for healthcare organizations to maintain up-to-date security patches and to have incident response procedures in place for potential security breaches involving patient data. Additionally, staff training should emphasize the importance of not opening suspicious medical files and understanding the risks associated with malicious file attachments in healthcare environments.