CVE-2021-44012 in JT2Go
Summary
by MITRE • 12/14/2021
A vulnerability has been identified in JT2Go (All versions < V13.2.0.5), Teamcenter Visualization (All versions < V13.2.0.5). The Jt1001.dll is vulnerable to an out of bounds read past the end of an allocated buffer when parsing specially crafted JT files. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to leak information in the context of the current process. (ZDI-CAN-15102)
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/16/2021
The vulnerability CVE-2021-44012 represents a critical out-of-bounds read condition affecting JT2Go and Teamcenter Visualization software versions prior to V13.2.0.5. This flaw exists within the Jt1001.dll library which is responsible for parsing JT file format data. The issue manifests when the software processes specially crafted JT files that contain malformed buffer allocations, leading to memory access violations beyond the intended buffer boundaries. Such vulnerabilities fall under CWE-125, which specifically addresses out-of-bounds read conditions in software implementations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs during the parsing phase of JT files where the Jt1001.dll fails to properly validate buffer sizes before reading data into memory. When an attacker crafts a malicious JT file with oversized or malformed data structures, the parsing routine attempts to read beyond the allocated memory space, potentially exposing sensitive information from adjacent memory locations. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates within the context of the current process, meaning attackers can access process memory that may contain credentials, encryption keys, or other confidential data. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a memory corruption vulnerability that could enable information disclosure and potentially lead to privilege escalation.
The operational impact of CVE-2021-44012 extends beyond simple information leakage, as it creates opportunities for more sophisticated attacks within the targeted environment. Organizations using affected versions of JT2Go and Teamcenter Visualization face risks of data exposure when processing untrusted JT files, which are commonly used in CAD and engineering environments for sharing 3D models and design data. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal privileges since it operates within the application's own memory space, making it particularly attractive to threat actors who may already have access to the target systems. This weakness can be leveraged in supply chain attacks where malicious JT files are embedded in legitimate engineering workflows, or in targeted attacks against organizations that regularly handle external design data.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2021-44012 primarily focus on immediate software updates and implementation of defensive measures. Organizations should prioritize upgrading to JT2Go V13.2.0.5 and Teamcenter Visualization V13.2.0.5 or later versions where the buffer validation has been corrected. In addition to patching, network segmentation and file validation controls should be implemented to prevent unauthorized JT file processing. Security teams should also consider deploying application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of JT files from untrusted sources, combined with regular security scanning of JT file content to detect potential malicious payloads. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation in file parsing libraries and reinforces the need for robust memory safety practices in engineering software applications.