How severe is CVE-2021-41690?

CVE-2021-41690 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.5, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is none, integrity none, and availability high.

Is CVE-2021-41690 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 2% (76th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2021-41690?

CVE-2021-41690 affects Offis Dcmtk. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2021-41690?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.

When was CVE-2021-41690 published?

CVE-2021-41690 was published on 2022-06-28 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2021-41690

CVE-2021-41690 is a high-severity vulnerability in Offis Dcmtk with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.5. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-401.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.5)
CVSS v2: 5.0
EPSS exploit prediction: 2% (76th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-401
Affected product: Offis Dcmtk
Published: 2022-06-28
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

DCMTK through 3.6.6 does not handle memory free properly. The malloced memory for storing all file information are recorded in a global variable LST and are not freed properly. Sending specific requests to the dcmqrdb program can incur a memory leak. An attacker can use it to launch a DoS attack.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2021-41690?: DCMTK through 3.6.6 does not handle memory free properly. The malloced memory for storing all file information are recorded in a global variable LST and are not freed properly. Sending specific requests to the dcmqrdb program can incur a memory leak. An attacker can use it to launch a DoS attack.
How severe is CVE-2021-41690?: CVE-2021-41690 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.5, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is none, integrity none, and availability high.
Is CVE-2021-41690 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 2% (76th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2021-41690?: CVE-2021-41690 affects Offis Dcmtk. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2021-41690?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2021-41690 published?: CVE-2021-41690 was published on 2022-06-28 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (1)

cpe:2.3:a:offis:dcmtk:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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