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March 17, 2025
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How to Mitigate CVE-2025-2263: A Critical Stack-Based Buffer Overflow Vulnerability in Sante PACS Server
Sante PACS Server is facing a critical security vulnerability that demands immediate attention from security professionals. This stack-based buffer overflow, identified as CVE-2025-2263, can allow an unauthenticated attacker to execute arbitrary code on the vulnerable server. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the vulnerability, its potential impact, and actionable steps to mitigate the risk. Designed for DevSecOps, application security, and security operations teams, this guide offers practical advice to safeguard your systems. We aim to equip you with the necessary knowledge to protect your Sante PACS Server from exploitation.
A Short Introduction to Sante PACS Server
Sante PACS Server is a software application used for medical image archiving and communication. It is primarily used in healthcare environments to store, retrieve, and manage medical images such as X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs. The server enables healthcare professionals to access and share these images across different locations, facilitating efficient diagnosis and treatment planning. Its functionalities include DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine) support, image compression, and user authentication mechanisms. Given its role in handling sensitive medical data, security is paramount.
Summary of CVE-2025-2263
CVE ID: CVE-2025-2263
Description: A stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability in Sante PACS Server.exe during the login process.
CVSS Score: 9.8 (Critical)
CVSS Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
The vulnerability resides in the Sante PACS Server.exe, specifically within the login process. It stems from the way the application handles the decryption of usernames and passwords using OpenSSL's EVP_DecryptUpdate function. A fixed 0x80-byte stack-based buffer is used as the output buffer during decryption. The flaw occurs when an unauthenticated remote attacker supplies a long encrypted username or password. Because the buffer is of a fixed size, providing an input that exceeds this size will lead to a buffer overflow, potentially overwriting adjacent memory regions on the stack.
Impact of CVE-2025-2263
The impact of CVE-2025-2263 is substantial due to its critical nature and the sensitive data handled by Sante PACS Server. Successful exploitation can lead to a range of severe consequences.
An unauthenticated remote attacker could potentially:
Execute arbitrary code on the vulnerable web server, gaining control over the system.
Compromise the entire server's integrity, allowing the attacker to manipulate or corrupt critical data.
Gain unauthorized access to sensitive system resources, including patient data and other confidential information.
Potentially take complete control of the affected system, leading to a full system compromise and potential lateral movement within the network.
Given the potential for complete system compromise and the sensitivity of medical data, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to healthcare organizations. Immediate action is required to mitigate the risk.
Products Affected by CVE-2025-2263
The following table summarizes the product affected by CVE-2025-2263.
| Product | Version(s) Affected |
|---|---|
| Sante PACS Server | All versions |
It's important to note that all versions of Sante PACS Server are currently considered vulnerable. There are no specific versions exempted at this time.
How to Check Your Product is Vulnerable?
To determine if your Sante PACS Server is vulnerable to CVE-2025-2263, you can perform the following checks:
Version Identification:
Log into the Sante PACS Server web interface.
Navigate to the "About" section or similar area where the software version is displayed.
Confirm that you are running a version listed in the "Products Affected" section above. Since all versions are currently affected, this check is primarily for confirmation.
Login Attempt with Long Encrypted Credentials:
Capture the HTTP request generated during the login process. Tools like Wireshark can be used for this purpose.
Craft a malicious login request with an extremely long encrypted username or password. The goal is to exceed the expected buffer size (0x80 bytes).
Send the crafted request to the server and monitor the server's response.
If the server crashes or exhibits unexpected behavior, it is a strong indication of the buffer overflow vulnerability.
Monitor for Suspicious Activity:
Examine server logs for unusual login attempts or errors related to memory access.
Monitor network traffic for unusually large requests to the login endpoint.
How to Fix the Vulnerability?
Currently, there is no official patch available for CVE-2025-2263. Until a patch is released, the following mitigation strategies and workarounds are recommended:
Disable Remote Access: If possible, disable remote access to the Sante PACS Server to limit the attack surface. This can be achieved by configuring firewalls or access control lists (ACLs) to restrict access to trusted networks only.
Implement Network Segmentation: Isolate the vulnerable server within a segmented network to prevent potential attackers from gaining access to other critical systems.
Monitor Login Attempts: Implement robust monitoring for suspicious login attempts. Look for patterns such as repeated failed logins or unusually long usernames/passwords.
Web Application Firewall (WAF): Consider using a Web Application Firewall (WAF) to filter potentially malicious login requests. Configure the WAF to block requests with excessively long usernames or passwords.
Stay Informed: Monitor official channels for any security updates or patches related to this vulnerability. Regularly check the vendor's website and security advisories for the latest information.
Important Note: Due to the lack of a patch at this time, these mitigations are not a complete solution. They are intended to reduce the risk until a patch is available. Apply vendor patches immediately when they are released.
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Arun KL
Arun KL is a cybersecurity professional with 15+ years of experience in IT infrastructure, cloud security, vulnerability management, Penetration Testing, security operations, and incident response. He is adept at designing and implementing robust security solutions to safeguard systems and data. Arun holds multiple industry certifications including CCNA, CCNA Security, RHCE, CEH, and AWS Security.
