CVE-2021-46155 in Simcenter Femap
Summary
by MITRE • 02/09/2022
A vulnerability has been identified in Simcenter Femap V2020.2 (All versions), Simcenter Femap V2021.1 (All versions). Affected application contains a stack based buffer overflow vulnerability while parsing NEU files. This could allow an attacker to execute code in the context of the current process. (ZDI-CAN-14683, ZDI-CAN-15283, ZDI-CAN-15303, ZDI-CAN-15593)
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/12/2022
The vulnerability CVE-2021-46155 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw discovered in Siemens Simcenter Femap software versions 2020.2 and 2021.1. This vulnerability specifically manifests during the parsing of NEU files, which are commonly used for finite element model data exchange within engineering simulation environments. The affected applications are widely utilized in aerospace, automotive, and manufacturing industries for structural analysis and simulation tasks, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for organizations relying on these critical engineering tools.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation during NEU file processing, where the application fails to adequately check buffer boundaries when handling user-supplied data. This stack-based buffer overflow occurs when the application attempts to write more data into a fixed-size buffer than it can accommodate, leading to memory corruption that can be exploited by malicious actors. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-121 as a stack-based buffer overflow, which directly enables arbitrary code execution within the context of the currently running process. Attackers can leverage this weakness by crafting specially malformed NEU files that trigger the overflow condition when opened by the vulnerable software.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it represents a severe privilege escalation vector within engineering environments where Simcenter Femap is typically run with elevated privileges. The exploitation of this vulnerability could allow attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive engineering data, manipulate simulation results, or potentially establish persistent backdoors within critical infrastructure systems. Given that these applications are often used in enterprise environments with complex network architectures, the potential for lateral movement and further compromise increases significantly. The vulnerability affects multiple versions of the software, indicating a widespread exposure across different deployment scenarios within industrial control systems and engineering design workflows.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including restricting file execution permissions for NEU files from untrusted sources, implementing network segmentation to limit access to engineering workstations, and deploying application whitelisting solutions to prevent unauthorized software execution. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as exploitation may involve executing malicious code through compromised simulation environments. Regular software updates and patches from Siemens should be prioritized, while organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious file handling activities. Additionally, security awareness training for engineering personnel should emphasize the dangers of opening untrusted simulation files, as social engineering attacks often exploit these specific vulnerabilities through malicious file attachments or compromised collaboration platforms.