Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
DCMTK is software used to handle medical DICOM imaging files. Versions before 3.6.7 can crash when processing a malformed DICOM file. The main business risk is disruption to imaging workflows or systems that rely on DCMTK to import, convert, or validate DICOM data.
Executive priority
Treat as a high-priority availability risk for imaging workflows, especially where DICOM files cross organizational boundaries. Patch directly managed DCMTK first, then verify embedded copies through vendor support channels.
Technical view
CVE-2022-2121 is a CWE-476 NULL pointer dereference in OFFIS DCMTK before 3.6.7 during DICOM file processing. The supplied record describes a denial-of-service condition. CVSS 3.1 is 7.5, with adjacent network attack vector, high complexity, no privileges, and no user interaction.
Likely exposure
Exposure is likely where OFFIS DCMTK before 3.6.7 processes DICOM files, especially ingestion paths receiving external, partner, device, or patient imaging data. Embedded use inside other applications must be inventoried because the bundle only identifies OFFIS DCMTK, not downstream products.
Exploitation context
The source bundle does not show CISA KEV listing or active exploitation evidence. Exploitation would require reaching a DCMTK DICOM processing path with a crafted file. The public sources provided support denial of service, not confirmed compromise or weaponized exploitation.
Researcher notes
Evidence is limited to advisory-level detail. The description supports NULL pointer dereference during DICOM processing and denial of service for versions before 3.6.7. Do not infer affected downstream products, active exploitation, or broader impact beyond the cited sources.
Mitigation direction
- Upgrade OFFIS DCMTK to 3.6.7 or later where directly managed.
- Apply fixed Debian dcmtk packages where using Debian LTS distributions.
- Check vendor guidance for products embedding DCMTK before assuming patch status.
- Limit untrusted DICOM file ingestion to necessary trusted sources.
- Prioritize systems where DICOM processing supports clinical or operational availability.
Validation and detection
- Inventory DCMTK library and tool versions across servers, containers, and appliances.
- Identify applications that process DICOM files using bundled or statically linked DCMTK.
- Confirm package versions against OFFIS, CISA, or Debian security guidance.
- Review DICOM ingestion points exposed to external partners or adjacent networks.
- Run vendor-supported regression tests with benign DICOM sample sets after patching.
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
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
CWE-476: Exact CWE lookup
Use the exact CWE identifier as the starting point before reviewing related ATT&CK behavior. 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 lookupCVE-2022-2121 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
- [debian-lts-announce] 20240628 [SECURITY] [DLA 3847-1] dcmtk security updateCVE reference · mailing-list
- https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2025/01/msg00032.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.
NULL Pointer Dereference
NULL Pointer Dereference represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.