Sante PACS Server: Double Free
CVE-2025-53948 is a high-severity double free vulnerability in Sante PACS Server from Santesoft, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.5 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. The record lists version 4.2.3 as the first without the flaw, so updating Sante PACS Server to that release or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.81% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 58% of scored CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Update Sante PACS Server to 4.2.3 or a later version.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santesoft | Sante PACS Server | before 4.2.3 | 4.2.3 |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- NoneNo data is disclosed.
- Integrity
- NoneNothing can be modified.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H. Scored by CNA (hq.dhs.gov).
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 4.0 | 8.7 | High | CNA (hq.dhs.gov) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.5 | High | CNA (hq.dhs.gov) |
Official description
The Sante PACS Server allows a remote attacker to crash the main thread by sending a crafted HL7 message, causing a denial-of-service condition. The application would require a manual restart and no authentication is required.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Double Free
The product calls free() twice on the same memory address.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Choose a language that provides automatic memory management.
- Ensure that each allocation is freed only once. After freeing a chunk, set the pointer to NULL to ensure the pointer cannot be freed again. In complicated error conditions, be sure that clean-up routines respect the state of allocation properly. If the language is object oriented, ensure that object destructors delete each chunk of memory only once.
- Use a static analysis tool to find double free instances.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: yes, technical impact: partial).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Patches and release notes
- cisa.gov/news-events/ics-medical-advisories/icsma-25-224-01Mitigation, Third Party Advisory, US Government Resource
Other vulnerabilities in Sante PACS Server
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
Recent Double Free vulnerabilities
- 8.6 High severity
- 7.2 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
Spotted an error? Tell us.