CVE-2024-29421
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability in xmedcon allows attackers to execute arbitrary code via a buffer overflow in the DICOM parsing component. It affects users of xmedcon 0.23.0 and earlier versions who process untrusted DICOM files. The vulnerability could lead to complete system compromise.
💻 Affected Systems
- xmedcon
⚠️ Manual Verification Required
This CVE does not have specific version information in our database, so automatic vulnerability detection cannot determine if your system is affected.
Why? The CVE database entry doesn't specify which versions are vulnerable (no version ranges provided by the vendor/NVD).
🔒 Custom verification scripts are available for registered users. Sign up free to download automated test scripts.
- Review the CVE details at NVD
- Check vendor security advisories for your specific version
- Test if the vulnerability is exploitable in your environment
- Consider updating to the latest version as a precaution
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Remote code execution leading to full system compromise, data theft, and persistent backdoor installation.
Likely Case
Application crash (denial of service) or limited code execution within the application context.
If Mitigated
Application crash with no code execution if memory protections are enabled.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires crafting a malicious DICOM file and getting it processed by the vulnerable application.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 0.24.0
Vendor Advisory: https://github.com/SpikeReply/advisories/blob/530dbd7ce68600a22c47dd1bcbe360220feda1d9/cve/xmedcon/cve-2024-29421.md
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Download xmedcon 0.24.0 or later from official sources. 2. Uninstall vulnerable version. 3. Install patched version. 4. Restart any services using xmedcon.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict DICOM file processing
allLimit processing of DICOM files to trusted sources only
Disable vulnerable component
linuxDisable DICOM support if not required
Recompile xmedcon with DICOM support disabled
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict input validation for DICOM files
- Run xmedcon in a sandboxed/containerized environment with limited privileges
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check xmedcon version: xmedcon --version | grep '0.23.0' or earlierCheck Version:
xmedcon --versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify version is 0.24.0 or later: xmedcon --version | grep -E '0.24.0|0.25.0|0.26.0'📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Application crashes with segmentation faults
- Unusual memory access patterns in system logs
Network Indicators:
- Unexpected DICOM file transfers to vulnerable systems
SIEM Query:
process_name:"xmedcon" AND (event_type:"crash" OR exit_code:139)