CVE-2026-44033

Uncontrolled recursion in the DCMTK bundled XML parser allows denial of service

Published Oct 8, 2026 CVSS 4.0 · 6.8 Medium EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed
Description
Uncontrolled recursion in XMLNode::ParseXMLElement() and XMLNode::emptyTheNode() in the bundled XML parser (ofstd/libsrc/ofxml.cc) of OFFIS DCMTK 3.7.0 allows an attacker to cause a denial of service (stack exhaustion and process crash) via a crafted XML document with deeply nested elements. The parser is reachable through dcmencap when encapsulating a CDA document, and through any application that calls OFXMLParser::parseFile() or OFXMLParser::parseString() on untrusted input. The issue is fixed in commit d12e350e687530eb41e2b0c860aff4d8c04e5941.

Remediation

Vendor Solution

Update to a DCMTK version that contains commit d12e350e687530eb41e2b0c860aff4d8c04e5941. As of the publication date, no tagged release after DCMTK 3.7.0 includes this fix, so apply the commit or build from the current master branch.

Tracking

Sign in to view the affected projects.

Advisories

No advisories available
History
Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'no', 'Exploitation': 'none', 'Technical Impact': 'partial'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description Uncontrolled recursion in XMLNode::ParseXMLElement() and XMLNode::emptyTheNode() in the bundled XML parser (ofstd/libsrc/ofxml.cc) of OFFIS DCMTK 3.7.0 allows an attacker to cause a denial of service (stack exhaustion and process crash) via a crafted XML document with deeply nested elements. The parser is reachable through dcmencap when encapsulating a CDA document, and through any application that calls OFXMLParser::parseFile() or OFXMLParser::parseString() on untrusted input. The issue is fixed in commit d12e350e687530eb41e2b0c860aff4d8c04e5941.
Title Uncontrolled recursion in the DCMTK bundled XML parser allows denial of service
First Time appeared Offis
Offis dcmtk
Weaknesses CWE-674
CPEs cpe:2.3:a:offis:dcmtk:3.7.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
Vendors & Products Offis
Offis dcmtk
References
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 5.5, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H'}

cvssV4_0

{'score': 6.8, 'vector': 'CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:P/VC:N/VI:N/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N'}

Weaknesses

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
securin
Published
Updated
Oct 8, 2026, 2:10 PM
Reserved
May 5, 2026, 2:49 AM
Status
Awaiting Analysis
Published
Oct 8, 2026, 1:17 PM
Modified
Oct 8, 2026, 9:10 PM
Severity
Moderate
Public date
Oct 8, 2026, 12:55 PM