CVE-2025-27724 is a critical security vulnerability classified under CWE-284 (Improper Access Control) affecting MedDream PACS Premium version 7.3.3.840. The flaw exists in the login.php component, where the application fails to properly restrict access to file upload functionality. An attacker can exploit this by uploading a specially crafted PHP file, which the system then executes, resulting in privilege escalation. This means an unauthenticated attacker can gain elevated capabilities, potentially full administrative control over the PACS system. The vulnerability has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.3, reflecting its critical nature with high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The attack vector is local (AV:L), requiring the attacker to have some level of access to upload files but no privileges or user interaction are needed. The scope is changed (S:C), indicating that the vulnerability affects components beyond the initially vulnerable part, potentially compromising the entire system. MedDream PACS Premium is a medical imaging management system widely used in healthcare environments to store, retrieve, and display medical images. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive patient data, manipulation or deletion of medical images, and disruption of healthcare services. No public patches or known exploits are currently reported, but the vulnerability's nature demands urgent attention.

For European organizations, especially healthcare providers, this vulnerability poses a significant threat. MedDream PACS Premium systems store highly sensitive patient imaging data protected under GDPR, making confidentiality breaches potentially subject to heavy regulatory penalties. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to patient records, manipulation or deletion of diagnostic images, and disruption of clinical workflows, impacting patient care quality and safety. The integrity and availability of medical imaging data are critical for diagnosis and treatment; thus, any compromise could have direct health consequences. Additionally, the elevated privileges gained by attackers could allow lateral movement within hospital networks, increasing the risk of broader compromise. Given the criticality of healthcare infrastructure in Europe and the increasing targeting of medical systems by cybercriminals and nation-state actors, this vulnerability could be leveraged in ransomware or espionage campaigns. The lack of known exploits currently provides a window for proactive defense but also underscores the urgency of mitigation before active exploitation occurs.

1. Immediate application of any available patches or updates from MedDream is the most effective mitigation. If patches are not yet available, implement strict file upload validation to block unauthorized or executable file types. 2. Restrict access to the login.php and file upload functionalities by enforcing network segmentation and access controls, limiting upload capabilities to trusted users and systems only. 3. Deploy Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with rules to detect and block malicious file uploads and suspicious HTTP requests targeting login.php. 4. Monitor logs and network traffic for unusual activity, such as unexpected file uploads or execution of PHP scripts in the PACS environment. 5. Harden the server environment by disabling execution permissions on directories intended for file storage, preventing uploaded files from being executed as code. 6. Conduct regular security audits and penetration testing focused on PACS systems to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities. 7. Educate IT and security staff about this vulnerability and ensure incident response plans include scenarios involving PACS compromise. 8. Consider isolating PACS systems from general hospital networks to reduce attack surface and limit lateral movement opportunities.