NEMA DICOM up to 2019b Part 10 File Format Malware input validation

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability labeled as critical has been found in NEMA DICOM up to 2019b. Impacted is an unknown function of the component Part 10 File Format. Executing a manipulation can lead to input validation (Malware). This vulnerability is handled as CVE-2019-11687. The attack can be executed remotely. There is not any exploit available. This vulnerability is notable in history due to its background and the response it received.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability classified as very critical was found in NEMA DICOM up to 2019b. This vulnerability affects an unknown part of the component Part 10 File Format. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a input validation vulnerability (Malware). The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-20. The product receives input or data, but it does not validate or incorrectly validates that the input has the properties that are required to process the data safely and correctly. As an impact it is known to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:

An issue was discovered in the DICOM Part 10 File Format in the NEMA DICOM Standard 1995 through 2019b and continuing in current implementations. The 128-byte preamble of a DICOM file that complies with this specification can contain arbitrary executable headers for multiple operating systems, including Portable Executable (PE) files for Windows and Executable and Linkable Format (ELF) files for Linux-based systems. This space is left unspecified so that dual-purpose files can be created. For example, dual-purpose TIFF/DICOM files are used in digital whole slide imaging applications in medicine. This design flaw enables system-wide compromise as malicious DICOM files are routinely shared between medical devices and hospital systems and transported via removable media for patient care coordination. To exploit this vulnerability, someone must execute the maliciously crafted file. These files can be executable even with the .dcm file extension. Anti-malware configurations at healthcare facilities often ignore medical imagery. DICOM files exist on systems that process protected health information, and successful exploitation could result in violations of regulatory compliance requirements such as HIPAA and FDA postmarket obligations.

The bug was discovered 04/16/2019. The weakness was released 05/02/2019 (Website). The advisory is available at securityfocus.com. This vulnerability was named CVE-2019-11687 since 05/02/2019. The attack can be initiated remotely. No form of authentication is required for a successful exploitation. The technical details are unknown and an exploit is not available. The structure of the vulnerability defines a possible price range of USD $5k-$25k at the moment (estimation calculated on 06/03/2026). This vulnerability has a historic impact due to its background and reception.

The vulnerability was handled as a non-public zero-day exploit for at least 16 days. During that time the estimated underground price was around $5k-$25k.

There is no information about possible countermeasures known. It may be suggested to replace the affected object with an alternative product.

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Productinfo

Vendor

• NEMA

Name

• DICOM

Version

• 2019b

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