Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2022-2120 is a path traversal flaw in OFFIS DCMTK before 3.6.7. A remote attacker with the required network position may be able to make affected SCU functionality write DICOM files outside the intended directory. In some deployments, that file placement could lead to remote code execution.
Executive priority
Treat this as a high-priority patching and exposure-management issue for systems that process DICOM data with DCMTK. Prioritize environments where untrusted or semi-trusted network peers can interact with affected components.
Technical view
The issue is CWE-23 relative path traversal in DCMTK service class user behavior. Sources state vulnerable versions before 3.6.7 can write DICOM files into arbitrary directories under attacker-controlled names. CVSS 3.1 is 7.5 with adjacent attack vector, high complexity, no privileges, and high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact.
Likely exposure
Exposure is most likely where applications or devices include OFFIS DCMTK before 3.6.7 and use SCU-related DICOM file handling. The source bundle does not enumerate specific downstream products, default configurations, or internet-exposed services.
Exploitation context
CISA KEV is false in the supplied bundle, and no cited source in the bundle states active exploitation. The CVSS vector indicates adjacent-network reachability and high attack complexity, so urgency depends on where affected DCMTK components are reachable.
Researcher notes
Evidence supports vulnerable DCMTK versions before 3.6.7 and a path traversal write primitive. The bundle does not provide exploit details, observed exploitation, exact affected integrations, or full remediation instructions beyond upgrading or following vendor and distribution advisories.
Mitigation direction
- Upgrade OFFIS DCMTK to 3.6.7 or later where available.
- Apply vendor or distribution security updates for packaged DCMTK builds.
- Check Debian LTS guidance if using Debian-maintained DCMTK packages.
- Restrict DICOM communication paths to trusted systems until patched.
- Review vendor advisories before assuming compensating controls are sufficient.
Validation and detection
- Inventory applications and appliances that bundle OFFIS DCMTK.
- Confirm installed DCMTK versions are not earlier than 3.6.7.
- Check software bills of materials and package manifests for DCMTK.
- Identify systems using SCU functionality for DICOM file handling.
- Review vendor or distribution changelogs for CVE-2022-2120 fixes.
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
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
CWE-23: File access and web shell behavior lookup
File traversal and upload weaknesses can lead teams to review file, web shell, execution, and collection telemetry. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupExecution behavior lookup
The CVE wording references code or command execution, so execution technique review may help defensive triage. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupFile access behavior lookup
The CVE wording references file access or upload behavior, so file telemetry and web shell review may help. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2022-2120 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- High
- CVSS
- 7.5 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:H/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:A/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H1.65.9Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
7.5HighVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://www.cisa.gov/uscert/ics/advisories/icsma-22-174-01CVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
- https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2025/06/msg00025.htmlCVE reference
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.
Relative Path Traversal
Relative Path Traversal represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.