CVE-2019-11687: An issue was discovered in the DICOM Part 10 File Format in the NEMA DICOM Standard 1995 through 2019b and...
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.
Security readout for executives and security teams
DICOM medical image files can legally include executable-looking content in their 128-byte preamble. A malicious file may appear to be medical imagery but also behave as a Windows or Linux executable if someone runs it. The main business concern is malware entry through trusted healthcare imaging workflows. Exposure is most likely in healthcare environments that receive, store, transfer, or review DICOM files, including PACS, imaging workstations, medical devices, and removable-media exchange workflows. The source bundle does not identify specific affected vendors or patched product versions. Prioritize this for healthcare and medical-imaging environments because it can turn trusted clinical file exchange into a malware path. It is high severity, but urgency should be based on DICOM exposure and execution controls, not confirmed active exploitation. Mitigation focus: Check DICOM software and device vendor guidance for product-specific handling recommendations.; Include DICOM and medical-imaging directories in anti-malware scanning policies.; Treat externally received DICOM files and removable media as untrusted content..
Prepared
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Potential ATT&CK relevance
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SSVC decision data
CISA-ADPCISA Coordinator
Timestamp
Version
2.0.3
Exploitation: noneAutomatable: noTechnical Impact: total
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Improper Input Validation
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