CVE-2024-28877 in DICOM Viewer
Summary
by MITRE • 06/12/2024
MicroDicom DICOM Viewer is vulnerable to a stack-based buffer overflow, which may allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code on affected installations of DICOM Viewer. User interaction is required to exploit this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/24/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-28877 affects MicroDicom DICOM Viewer, a medical imaging application used for viewing and manipulating digital imaging and communications in medicine files. This application processes DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine) files which contain medical images and associated data from various imaging modalities such as X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans. The stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability represents a critical security flaw that could potentially compromise the integrity and availability of medical imaging systems. The vulnerability resides within the application's handling of specially crafted DICOM files that may contain malformed data structures or oversized buffers that exceed the allocated stack memory space.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and memory management within the DICOM file parsing functionality of MicroDicom Viewer. When the application processes a maliciously crafted DICOM file, it fails to properly bounds-check the size of incoming data structures, particularly those related to image metadata and header information. This lack of proper validation allows an attacker to supply data that exceeds the allocated buffer space on the stack, leading to memory corruption. The overflow can overwrite adjacent stack variables, return addresses, and function pointers, potentially allowing an attacker to redirect program execution flow. According to CWE classification, this represents a CWE-121 stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability, which is a well-documented and dangerous class of memory corruption flaw. The attack vector requires user interaction since the vulnerability is triggered when a user opens or processes a malicious DICOM file, making it particularly concerning in medical environments where users frequently handle various imaging files.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it presents a significant risk to medical imaging infrastructure and patient data security. In healthcare environments, where DICOM Viewer applications are commonly used for diagnostic purposes, exploitation of this vulnerability could lead to complete system compromise, potentially allowing attackers to gain unauthorized access to medical imaging systems, access sensitive patient data, or disrupt critical diagnostic workflows. The medical imaging domain is particularly vulnerable to such attacks due to the high value of medical data and the critical nature of diagnostic systems. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to perform privilege escalation, establish persistent backdoors, or conduct data exfiltration from medical facilities. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the T1059.007 technique for Command and Scripting Interpreter, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to execute arbitrary commands through the compromised application. The vulnerability also aligns with T1566.001 for Phishing with Malicious Attachments, as the attack typically requires users to open malicious DICOM files, often delivered through social engineering campaigns targeting healthcare professionals.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of the affected MicroDicom DICOM Viewer application, as provided by the vendor. Organizations should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of medical imaging systems to untrusted networks and file transfers. Security monitoring should include detection of suspicious file access patterns and network connections from medical imaging applications. Input validation controls should be implemented at multiple layers including application-level checks, network-based intrusion detection systems, and file integrity monitoring solutions. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of secure coding practices and regular security assessments for medical imaging applications. Healthcare organizations should conduct comprehensive risk assessments of their medical imaging infrastructure and implement robust incident response procedures. Additionally, user education and awareness programs should be enhanced to recognize potential phishing attempts that might deliver malicious DICOM files. The vulnerability highlights the broader need for security considerations in healthcare technology, as medical imaging systems often operate in isolated environments but remain vulnerable to targeted attacks through social engineering and file-based exploitation techniques.