CVE-2025-14501 is a vulnerability identified in Sante PACS Server version 4.2.2, specifically related to the handling of the HTTP Content-Length header. The root cause is a NULL pointer dereference (CWE-476) due to insufficient validation of a pointer before its use during HTTP request processing. When a remote attacker sends a malicious HTTP request with a crafted Content-Length header, the server attempts to access a NULL pointer, causing the application to crash and resulting in a denial-of-service (DoS) condition. This vulnerability can be exploited remotely without any authentication or user interaction, making it highly accessible to attackers. The CVSS v3.0 base score is 7.5, reflecting high severity primarily due to the ease of exploitation (network vector, low complexity) and the complete loss of availability for the affected service. The Sante PACS Server is a medical imaging archive and communication system widely used in healthcare environments to store and manage medical images. Disruption of this service can severely impact clinical workflows and patient care. Although no public exploits have been reported yet, the vulnerability was reserved and published by the Zero Day Initiative (ZDI) under ZDI-CAN-26770, indicating credible discovery and potential for future exploitation. No official patches were listed at the time of reporting, emphasizing the need for proactive defensive measures.

The primary impact of CVE-2025-14501 is denial of service, which affects the availability of the Sante PACS Server. For European healthcare organizations, this can translate into significant operational disruptions, including inability to access or store critical medical imaging data, delays in diagnosis and treatment, and potential patient safety risks. Since the vulnerability requires no authentication, attackers can exploit it from outside the network perimeter, increasing exposure. The loss of availability in healthcare IT systems is particularly critical due to the time-sensitive nature of medical services. Additionally, repeated exploitation attempts could lead to extended downtime or force emergency fallback procedures, straining IT resources. While confidentiality and integrity are not directly impacted, the unavailability of PACS services can indirectly affect patient care quality and compliance with healthcare regulations such as GDPR. Organizations relying on Sante PACS Server version 4.2.2 must consider this vulnerability a high operational risk.

1. Apply vendor patches immediately once they become available to address the NULL pointer dereference flaw. 2. In the absence of patches, implement network-level protections such as web application firewalls (WAFs) or intrusion prevention systems (IPS) configured to detect and block malformed HTTP requests, especially those with suspicious Content-Length headers. 3. Restrict external access to the PACS Server by placing it behind secure VPNs or segmented network zones to limit exposure to untrusted networks. 4. Monitor network traffic for anomalies related to HTTP headers and unusual request patterns targeting the PACS Server. 5. Conduct regular security assessments and penetration tests focusing on HTTP protocol handling to identify similar weaknesses. 6. Maintain up-to-date backups of PACS data and ensure rapid recovery procedures are in place to minimize downtime in case of successful DoS attacks. 7. Educate IT and security teams about this vulnerability to ensure timely detection and response. 8. Collaborate with the vendor for timely updates and guidance on secure configurations.