CVE-2021-41533 in Solid Edge SE2021
Summary
by MITRE • 09/28/2021
A vulnerability has been identified in Solid Edge SE2021 (All versions < SE2021MP8). The affected application is vulnerable to an out of bounds read past the end of an allocated buffer when parsing JT files. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to leak information in the context of the current process (ZDI-CAN-13565).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/03/2021
This vulnerability exists within Solid Edge SE2021 software where the application fails to properly validate buffer boundaries when processing JT file format data. The issue manifests as an out-of-bounds read condition that occurs during the parsing of JT files, which are commonly used for 3D CAD data exchange in the manufacturing and engineering sectors. The vulnerability affects all versions of Solid Edge SE2021 prior to SE2021MP8, representing a significant security gap in the software's input validation mechanisms. The flaw specifically occurs when the application attempts to read data beyond the allocated memory buffer boundaries, creating a potential information disclosure vector that could expose sensitive memory contents to unauthorized parties.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-125 which describes out-of-bounds read conditions in software applications. This type of flaw typically arises when software does not properly validate input data lengths or does not implement adequate boundary checks during memory operations. In the context of Solid Edge's JT file parser, the application likely assumes certain data structures or lengths without proper validation, allowing an attacker to craft malicious JT files that trigger the buffer overflow condition. The out-of-bounds read can potentially expose memory contents including stack variables, heap data, or other sensitive information that may be accessible to the process executing the vulnerable code.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents a serious risk to organizations using Solid Edge SE2021 for engineering and design work. The information leakage could potentially expose proprietary design data, intellectual property, or system memory contents that might aid in further exploitation attempts. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to gain insights into the application's memory layout, potentially enabling more sophisticated attacks such as code execution or privilege escalation. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where Solid Edge is used for critical design work and where the leaked information could compromise competitive advantages or security posture. The ZDI-CAN-13565 reference indicates this vulnerability was identified by the Zero Day Initiative and demonstrates the broader security community's recognition of its potential impact.
Organizations should prioritize immediate remediation by upgrading to Solid Edge SE2021MP8 or later versions which contain the necessary patches to address this buffer validation issue. System administrators should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of systems running vulnerable versions of Solid Edge. Additional mitigations include implementing strict file validation procedures for JT files, particularly when they originate from untrusted sources, and monitoring for suspicious file processing activities. The vulnerability's classification under CWE-125 and potential ATT&CK techniques related to information gathering and privilege escalation underscores the need for comprehensive security controls. Regular security assessments and vulnerability management processes should be enhanced to detect and remediate similar buffer overflow conditions in other CAD and engineering software applications. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies and restricting user privileges when processing CAD files to minimize potential exploitation risks.