CVE-2022-40647 in SpaceClaim
Summary
by MITRE • 09/15/2022
This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected installations of Ansys SpaceClaim 2022 R1. User interaction is required to exploit this vulnerability in that the target must visit a malicious page or open a malicious file. The specific flaw exists within the parsing of X_B files. The issue results from the lack of proper validation of user-supplied data, which can result in a read past the end of an allocated data structure. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of the current process. Was ZDI-CAN-17558.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/15/2022
CVE-2022-40647 represents a critical remote code execution vulnerability affecting Ansys SpaceClaim 2022 R1 software. This vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation during the parsing of X_B files, which are proprietary binary formats used within the CAD modeling environment. The flaw manifests as a buffer over-read condition that occurs when the application processes malformed X_B file structures without proper bounds checking. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-125: "Out-of-bounds Read" which is classified under the broader category of memory safety errors that frequently lead to arbitrary code execution exploits.
The attack scenario requires user interaction, making it a client-side vulnerability that can be delivered through web-based attacks or malicious file attachments. An attacker would need to craft a specially crafted X_B file that triggers the buffer over-read condition when opened by an unsuspecting user. This exploitation vector follows the ATT&CK technique T1203: "Exploitation for Client Execution" where adversaries leverage application vulnerabilities to execute code on victim systems. The vulnerability exists in the application's file parsing logic where it fails to validate the length and structure of incoming data before processing, creating a path for attackers to manipulate memory access patterns.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it allows remote code execution in the context of the current process, meaning an attacker could potentially gain full control over the victim's system with the privileges of the running SpaceClaim application. This presents a significant risk to organizations using the software, as the attack could be delivered through email attachments, compromised websites, or file sharing platforms. The vulnerability's exploitation could lead to data theft, system compromise, or lateral movement within network environments where the software is installed. The affected software ecosystem is particularly vulnerable since SpaceClaim is widely used in engineering and design environments where users frequently open files from external sources.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate software updates from Ansys to address the buffer over-read condition in X_B file parsing. Organizations should implement strict file validation policies, including sandboxing of file attachments and network-based file filtering. Security teams should monitor for exploitation attempts through network traffic analysis and endpoint detection systems that can identify suspicious file parsing activities. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and bounds checking as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and ISO 27001 security standards. Additionally, user education regarding the dangers of opening untrusted files and implementing least privilege principles for application execution can significantly reduce the attack surface and potential impact of such vulnerabilities.