CVE-2022-40649 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 initialization of a pointer prior to accessing it. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of the current process. Was ZDI-CAN-17565.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/15/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-40649 represents a critical remote code execution flaw in Ansys SpaceClaim 2022 R1 software, a widely used 3D CAD modeling application in engineering and design environments. This vulnerability falls under the category of improper initialization of memory resources, specifically manifesting as a null pointer dereference during the processing of X_B files which are proprietary binary formats used within the application for storing 3D model data. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation and memory management practices during file parsing operations, creating a dangerous condition where a pointer variable is accessed without proper initialization, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires user interaction, making it a targeted attack vector that relies on social engineering tactics to compromise systems. Attackers must convince victims to visit malicious web pages or open specially crafted X_B files that contain malformed data structures designed to trigger the uninitialized pointer access. This characteristic places the vulnerability in the context of file-based attacks and phishing campaigns, where the malicious payload is embedded within legitimate-looking 3D model files that users might encounter during normal business operations. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-476 as a null pointer dereference, which is a well-known weakness pattern that can lead to unpredictable behavior and potential code execution.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations that rely on Ansys SpaceClaim for critical design work, as successful exploitation could allow attackers to gain full control of the victim's system with the privileges of the current user. The execution context of the exploit means that any malicious code would run with the same permissions as the SpaceClaim application, potentially enabling data exfiltration, system persistence mechanisms, or further lateral movement within the network. This vulnerability particularly affects engineering environments where users frequently exchange 3D models and collaborate on design projects, making the attack surface larger than typical software vulnerabilities.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including restricting user access to potentially malicious files, implementing network-based filtering for X_B file types, and ensuring users are educated about the risks of opening untrusted 3D model files. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper memory management practices and input validation in commercial software applications, particularly those handling complex file formats that require extensive parsing logic. Security controls should include application whitelisting, sandboxing of file processing operations, and regular updates to address the underlying memory management flaw. This vulnerability also highlights the need for software vendors to implement robust error handling and memory initialization practices, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1203 for legitimate program execution and T1059 for command and scripting interpreter usage. The ZDI-CAN-17565 reference indicates this vulnerability was responsibly disclosed through the Zero Day Initiative, emphasizing the importance of coordinated vulnerability disclosure processes in protecting enterprise environments from such critical flaws.