Overview
CVE-2025-64298 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting NMIS/BioDose V22.02 and all prior versions when using the embedded Microsoft SQL Server Express in networked installations. The vulnerability stems from insecure default directory paths in the Windows share used by clients, leading to unauthorized access to sensitive SQL Server database and configuration files.
Technical Details
NMIS/BioDose, when deployed with the embedded SQL Server Express, utilizes a Windows share for client access. The default configuration of this share contains overly permissive directory paths. Specifically, these paths grant access to the SQL Server’s database files (.mdf, .ldf) and configuration files. An attacker with access to the network share can leverage this vulnerability to:
- Directly access and potentially modify the SQL Server database.
- Extract sensitive data stored within the database, including potentially patient information, system credentials, and other confidential data.
- Modify SQL Server configuration files, potentially leading to denial-of-service or further exploitation.
The core issue is a lack of proper access control configuration on the Windows share, making the SQL Server instance inadvertently exposed.
CVSS Analysis
The Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) score for CVE-2025-64298 is 8.4, indicating a High severity vulnerability. This score reflects the following characteristics:
- Attack Vector (AV): Network (N) – The vulnerability is exploitable over a network.
- Attack Complexity (AC): Low (L) – The exploitation requires little specialized knowledge or access.
- Privileges Required (PR): Low (L) – An attacker requires only basic user privileges on the network.
- User Interaction (UI): None (N) – No user interaction is required to exploit the vulnerability.
- Scope (S): Changed (C) – Exploiting the vulnerability can affect resources beyond the security scope of the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality Impact (C): High (H) – There is a high impact to data confidentiality.
- Integrity Impact (I): High (H) – There is a high impact to data integrity.
- Availability Impact (A): None (N) – There is no impact to system availability (though potential for DoS exists via configuration changes).
This high score is primarily driven by the ease of exploitation, the network attack vector, and the potential for significant data compromise.
Possible Impact
Successful exploitation of CVE-2025-64298 can have severe consequences, including:
- Data Breach: Exposure of sensitive patient data, leading to regulatory fines, reputational damage, and potential legal action.
- System Compromise: Modification of SQL Server configuration files, resulting in system instability or denial-of-service.
- Lateral Movement: Use of compromised credentials to gain access to other systems on the network.
- Regulatory Non-Compliance: Violation of data privacy regulations such as HIPAA (if applicable).
Mitigation or Patch Steps
To mitigate the risk posed by CVE-2025-64298, the following steps are recommended:
- Upgrade to a Secure Version: Upgrade NMIS/BioDose to a version that addresses this vulnerability. Contact the vendor for the latest patched release. If an upgrade is not immediately possible:
- Restrict Access to the Windows Share: Implement strict access control lists (ACLs) on the Windows share used by NMIS/BioDose clients. Grant only the minimum necessary permissions to authorized users and groups. Specifically, remove access to the SQL Server data directory and configuration files.
- Change Default SQL Server Credentials: Ensure the default SQL Server ‘sa’ account password has been changed to a strong, unique password.
- Enable SQL Server Auditing: Implement auditing within SQL Server to monitor and log database access attempts. This can help detect and respond to unauthorized activity.
- Network Segmentation: Implement network segmentation to isolate the NMIS/BioDose system from other critical network segments, limiting the potential impact of a successful attack.
- Monitor Network Traffic: Implement network intrusion detection systems (IDS) to monitor for suspicious activity related to SQL Server traffic.
