CVE-2015-8979: Stack-based buffer overflow in the parsePresentationContext function in storescp in DICOM dcmtk-3.6.0 and earl

Q: How do I fix CVE-2015-8979?

debian linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation; dcmtk: upgrade to newer than 3.6.0. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2015-8979 being exploited?

CVE-2015-8979 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

Q: What does CVE-2015-8979 affect?

CVE-2015-8979 affects debian linux, dcmtk. Severity is high (CVSS 7.5). Stack-based buffer overflow in the parsePresentationContext function in storescp in DICOM dcmtk-3.6.0 and earlier allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (segmentation fault) via a long string sent to TCP port 4242.

Q: How urgent is CVE-2015-8979?

Priority 64/100. High severity; EPSS top 10%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action; On your watchlist

This week

HIGH 7.5REMOTEWATCHLISTMITIGATEUPGRADE

CVE-2015-8979 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.5) affecting debian linux, dcmtk. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Stack-based buffer overflow in the parsePresentationContext function in storescp in DICOM dcmtk-3.6.0 and earlier allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (segmentation fault) via a long string sent to TCP port 4242.

Why this priority

High severity
EPSS top 10%: very likely to be exploited
Public exploit reference
Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action
On your watchlist

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.5 (High)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	3.9% (top 10%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-119
Published	2017-02-15
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: debian · dicom

Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2017-02-15 15:59 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 00:35 UTCUpdated Record last modified

debian debian linux MITIGATE

Affected: 8.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 8.0

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

dicom dcmtk UPGRADE

Affected: <= 3.6.0

Fixed in: newer than 3.6.0

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy dcmtk || rpm -q dcmtk || dcmtk --version

2. UPGRADE to newer than 3.6.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade dcmtk

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade dcmtk

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2015-8979?

debian linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation; dcmtk: upgrade to newer than 3.6.0. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2015-8979 being exploited?

CVE-2015-8979 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2015-8979 affect?

CVE-2015-8979 affects debian linux, dcmtk. Severity is high (CVSS 7.5). Stack-based buffer overflow in the parsePresentationContext function in storescp in DICOM dcmtk-3.6.0 and earlier allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (segmentation fault) via a long string sent to TCP port 4242.

How urgent is CVE-2015-8979?

Priority 64/100. High severity; EPSS top 10%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action; On your watchlist

Software pages

Debian vulnerabilities

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References

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