CVE-2026-44034

Heap out-of-bounds read in DCMTK RLE decodeFrame()

Published Oct 8, 2026 CVSS 4.0 · 4.8 Medium EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed
Description
A heap-based out-of-bounds read in DcmRLECodecDecoder::decodeFrame() in dcmdata/libsrc/dcrleccd.cc of OFFIS DCMTK 3.7.0 allows an attacker to read up to 63 bytes of adjacent heap memory, or cause a crash, via a crafted RLE Lossless DICOM file whose pixel data fragment is shorter than the 64-byte RLE header. The function copies 64 bytes without checking the fragment length, a check that the sibling function decode() already performs. Applications that decode RLE images frame by frame (for example, through DcmPixelData::getUncompressedFrame()) are affected. The dcmdrle command-line tool uses decode() and is not affected. The issue is fixed in commit 45469f3c30037e9c7159290e4bb74cd7b3b9ef1d.

Remediation

Vendor Solution

Update to a DCMTK version that contains commit 45469f3c30037e9c7159290e4bb74cd7b3b9ef1d. 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

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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 A heap-based out-of-bounds read in DcmRLECodecDecoder::decodeFrame() in dcmdata/libsrc/dcrleccd.cc of OFFIS DCMTK 3.7.0 allows an attacker to read up to 63 bytes of adjacent heap memory, or cause a crash, via a crafted RLE Lossless DICOM file whose pixel data fragment is shorter than the 64-byte RLE header. The function copies 64 bytes without checking the fragment length, a check that the sibling function decode() already performs. Applications that decode RLE images frame by frame (for example, through DcmPixelData::getUncompressedFrame()) are affected. The dcmdrle command-line tool uses decode() and is not affected. The issue is fixed in commit 45469f3c30037e9c7159290e4bb74cd7b3b9ef1d.
Title Heap out-of-bounds read in DCMTK RLE decodeFrame()
First Time appeared Offis
Offis dcmtk
Weaknesses CWE-125
CPEs cpe:2.3:a:offis:dcmtk:3.7.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
Vendors & Products Offis
Offis dcmtk
References
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 4.4, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:L'}

cvssV4_0

{'score': 4.8, 'vector': 'CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:P/VC:L/VI:N/VA:L/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N'}

Weaknesses

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
securin
Published
Updated
Oct 8, 2026, 2:09 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