CVE-2022-2120 : What You Need to Know

OFFIS DCMTK's service class user (SCU) is vulnerable to relative path traversal, allowing an attacker to remotely execute code by writing DICOM files into arbitrary directories with controlled names.

Understanding CVE-2022-2120

This CVE impacts all versions of DCMTK before 3.6.7, exposing a critical vulnerability that could lead to remote code execution.

What is CVE-2022-2120?

CVE-2022-2120 highlights a security flaw in OFFIS DCMTK where the service class user is prone to relative path traversal, enabling malicious actors to place DICOM files into specific directories, potentially leading to remote code execution.

The Impact of CVE-2022-2120

The vulnerability poses a high risk with a CVSS base score of 7.5, indicating significant impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Attackers can exploit this flaw to execute code remotely, compromising the security of affected systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2022-2120

This section delves into the specific technical aspects of the CVE to provide a deeper understanding of the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability stems from the relative path traversal issue in OFFIS DCMTK, allowing threat actors to write DICOM files into arbitrary directories under their control, paving the way for potential remote code execution attacks.

Affected Systems and Versions

All versions of DCMTK prior to 3.6.7 are impacted by this vulnerability, exposing a wide range of systems to the risk of unauthorized code execution and data manipulation.

Exploitation Mechanism

By leveraging the relative path traversal flaw, attackers can craft malicious DICOM files to be placed in specific directories, providing them with the opportunity to execute code remotely and compromise system integrity.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address the risks associated with CVE-2022-2120, organizations and users should implement immediate mitigation strategies and adopt long-term security practices to safeguard their systems against potential attacks.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update DCMTK to version 3.6.7 or above to mitigate the vulnerability and prevent exploitation by threat actors.
Restrict network access and implement robust access controls to limit potential attack surfaces.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor for security updates and patches to ensure systems are protected against emerging threats and vulnerabilities.
Conduct routine security assessments and penetration testing to identify and address any security gaps proactively.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories and updates from OFFIS to deploy patches promptly, enhancing the overall security posture and resilience of your systems.