CVE-2022-34278 in PADS Standard
Summary
by MITRE • 07/12/2022
A vulnerability has been identified in PADS Standard/Plus Viewer (All versions). The affected application is vulnerable to an out of bounds read past the end of an allocated buffer when parsing PCB files. This could allow an attacker to execute code in the context of the current process. (FG-VD-22-043)
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/21/2022
The vulnerability CVE-2022-34278 affects PADS Standard/Plus Viewer, a popular software application used for viewing printed circuit board designs. This issue represents a critical security flaw that exists within the application's file parsing functionality, specifically when processing PCB (Printed Circuit Board) files. The vulnerability is classified as an out-of-bounds read condition that occurs during the parsing of malformed or specially crafted PCB files, potentially allowing attackers to escalate privileges and execute arbitrary code within the application's security context. The vulnerability was identified by Fortinet's FortiGuard Labs and assigned the reference number FG-VD-22-043, indicating its significance within their threat intelligence framework.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking within the PCB file parsing routine. When the application attempts to read data from a buffer allocated for PCB file parsing, it fails to validate the boundaries of the data being processed. This allows an attacker to craft a malicious PCB file that contains data exceeding the allocated buffer size, causing the application to read memory beyond its intended boundaries. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-129, which specifically addresses insufficient validation of length of input buffers, and more broadly under CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write operations. The flaw essentially creates a memory access violation that can be exploited to manipulate program execution flow, potentially leading to remote code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe for organizations that rely on PADS Standard/Plus Viewer for PCB design review and collaboration. Attackers could exploit this vulnerability by delivering a malicious PCB file through various attack vectors such as email attachments, file sharing platforms, or compromised websites. When victims open the malicious file within the vulnerable application, the out-of-bounds read condition triggers, potentially allowing attackers to execute code with the privileges of the current user. This could result in complete system compromise, data exfiltration, or the installation of persistent backdoors. The vulnerability affects all versions of PADS Standard/Plus Viewer, making it particularly concerning as organizations may have legacy installations that are difficult to update or patch immediately. The attack surface is further expanded by the widespread use of PCB design software in electronics manufacturing and engineering environments where these applications are frequently shared among teams.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies while working toward permanent patch resolution. The most effective immediate measure is to restrict user access to PCB files from untrusted sources and implement strict file validation procedures before opening any PCB files in the affected application. Security teams should also consider deploying network-based intrusion detection systems that can identify suspicious file transfers or attempts to access the application with malformed PCB files. Additionally, users should be trained to avoid opening PCB files from unknown or untrusted sources, and organizations should implement application whitelisting where possible to prevent unauthorized execution of the vulnerable software. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1203 for exploitation for client execution, while the initial access vector could be classified as T1193 for Spearphishing Attachment. Organizations should also consider implementing sandboxing techniques for PCB file analysis and establish incident response procedures specifically addressing this type of vulnerability. The vulnerability underscores the importance of input validation and proper memory management practices in software development, particularly for applications that process complex file formats in enterprise environments.