CVE-2022-34465 in Parasolid
Summary
by MITRE • 07/12/2022
A vulnerability has been identified in Parasolid V33.1 (All versions), Parasolid V34.0 (All versions < V34.0.250), Parasolid V34.1 (All versions < V34.1.233), Simcenter Femap (All versions). The affected application contains an out of bounds read past the end of an allocated structure while parsing specially crafted NEU files. This could allow an attacker to execute code in the context of the current process. (ZDI-CAN-15420)
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/12/2022
The vulnerability CVE-2022-34465 represents a critical out-of-bounds read condition within Parasolid geometry processing libraries that affect multiple software versions including Parasolid V33.1, V34.0, and V34.1 along with Simcenter Femap applications. This flaw occurs during the parsing of specially crafted NEU files which are commonly used for finite element analysis and CAD data exchange. The vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking within the memory management routines that process these structured data files, creating a potential pathway for arbitrary code execution.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests as an out-of-bounds memory access pattern that violates fundamental software security principles and aligns with CWE-125: "Out-of-bounds Read" which is classified as a memory safety issue under the Common Weakness Enumeration framework. When an attacker crafts a malicious NEU file with malformed data structures, the Parasolid engine attempts to read memory locations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries, potentially exposing sensitive data or allowing execution of attacker-controlled code within the application's security context. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited through file-based attacks without requiring network connectivity or user interaction beyond opening the malicious file.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-34465 extends beyond simple code execution capabilities to encompass potential system compromise and data integrity violations within engineering and simulation environments. Organizations utilizing Simcenter Femap and Parasolid-based applications face significant risk when processing untrusted geometry data, as the vulnerability can be leveraged to gain unauthorized access to computational resources and potentially escalate privileges. The attack surface is particularly concerning in collaborative engineering environments where design files are frequently exchanged between multiple stakeholders, creating numerous potential entry points for exploitation.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of affected software versions to the latest releases that contain the necessary bounds checking fixes. Organizations must implement strict file validation procedures for all incoming geometry data and consider deploying network segmentation to limit access to critical engineering systems. Additionally, the mitigation strategy should include monitoring for suspicious file access patterns and implementing application whitelisting to prevent execution of untrusted NEU files. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007: "Command and Scripting Interpreter: Python" and T1203: "Exploitation for Client Execution" as it enables attackers to execute malicious code through legitimate software channels. The vulnerability also intersects with T1566: "Phishing" and T1071.004: "Application Layer Protocol: DNS" when considering how attackers might distribute malicious files through social engineering campaigns or command and control communications. Organizations should also consider implementing automated vulnerability scanning tools that can detect and block potentially malicious NEU file content before it reaches end-user systems.