Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
NovaPACS Diagnostics Viewer 8.5.19.75 has a critical XML parsing flaw. A malicious XML preferences import can make the application disclose arbitrary local files through an external channel. For healthcare environments, this could expose sensitive system or patient-adjacent data if the affected viewer is present and reachable.
Executive priority
Treat as high-priority if NovaPACS Diagnostics Viewer 8.5.19.75 is deployed. The vulnerability can disclose local files without authentication according to the CVE data. Prioritize asset discovery, vendor guidance, and egress restrictions, especially in clinical environments handling sensitive data.
Technical view
CVE-2018-25142 is an XXE vulnerability, CWE-611, in XML preference import settings of NovaRad NovaPACS Diagnostics Viewer 8.5.19.75. The record describes unauthenticated exploitation using crafted XML with DTD parameter entities to retrieve arbitrary system files out-of-band. CVSS is 9.8, vector CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H.
Likely exposure
Exposure is limited to organizations running NovaPACS Diagnostics Viewer 8.5.19.75. Risk is higher where the viewer can process untrusted XML preference files or reach external network destinations. The provided sources do not identify other affected versions or confirm internet-scale exposure.
Exploitation context
A public ExploitDB reference and Zero Science Lab disclosure are listed, so technical exploit information is publicly available. CISA KEV status is false in the provided bundle, and no cited source confirms active exploitation in the wild.
Researcher notes
Evidence supports affected version 8.5.19.75 only. Sources cite public exploit material and a third-party disclosure, but the bundle does not provide a patch version, vendor advisory details, or KEV confirmation. Avoid assuming broader NovaPACS product impact without vendor confirmation.
Mitigation direction
- Identify any NovaPACS Diagnostics Viewer 8.5.19.75 installations.
- Check NovaRad guidance for fixed versions or vendor-recommended controls.
- Restrict XML preference imports to trusted administrators and trusted files only.
- Limit outbound network access from viewer hosts where operationally feasible.
- Monitor for unusual external callbacks from systems running the viewer.
Validation and detection
- Inventory endpoints and confirm installed NovaPACS Diagnostics Viewer versions.
- Review whether XML preference import functionality is enabled or used.
- Check egress logs for unexpected outbound connections from viewer systems.
- Verify whether vendor updates or advisories apply to deployed builds.
- Confirm compensating controls restrict untrusted XML handling.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.
ATT&CK lookup starting points
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CWE-611: Exact CWE lookup
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Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2018-25142 mapping review
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Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- Critical
- CVSS
- 9.8 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5
These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.
CVSS vector scores
1 official scoreWe collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H3.95.9Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
9.8CriticalVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- ExploitDB-45337CVE reference · exploit
- NovaRad Corporation Product HomepageCVE reference · product
- Zero Science Lab Disclosure (ZSL-2018-5488)CVE reference · third-party-advisory
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.
Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference
Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.