CVE-2022-46349 in Parasolid
Summary
by MITRE • 12/13/2022
A vulnerability has been identified in Parasolid V33.1 (All versions < V33.1.264), Parasolid V34.0 (All versions < V34.0.252), Parasolid V34.1 (All versions < V34.1.242), Parasolid V35.0 (All versions < V35.0.170). The affected applications contain an out of bounds read past the end of an allocated structure while parsing specially crafted X_B files. This could allow an attacker to execute code in the context of the current process. (ZDI-CAN-19384)
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/08/2023
The vulnerability CVE-2022-46349 represents a critical out-of-bounds read flaw affecting multiple versions of Parasolid, a widely used geometric kernel for computer-aided design applications. This vulnerability specifically manifests during the parsing of X_B files, which are binary formats commonly used for exchanging 3D model data between different CAD systems. The issue affects Parasolid versions ranging from V33.1 through V35.0, with specific patch thresholds defined for each major release. The vulnerability has been assigned the ZDI-CAN-19384 identifier by the Zero Day Initiative, highlighting its significance in the cybersecurity community. This flaw exists within the parsing logic of the Parasolid kernel, which is embedded in numerous commercial CAD applications including Autodesk products, PTC Creo, Siemens NX, and various other engineering design tools that rely on Parasolid for their geometric processing capabilities.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking during the parsing of X_B file structures. When the Parasolid kernel encounters a specially crafted X_B file, it attempts to read data beyond the allocated memory boundaries of a structure, resulting in an out-of-bounds read condition. This memory access violation can potentially be exploited by attackers who craft malicious X_B files designed to trigger the specific parsing path where the out-of-bounds read occurs. The flaw occurs in the context of the current process, meaning that successful exploitation could allow remote code execution with the privileges of the user running the affected application. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-125, which specifically addresses out-of-bounds read conditions, and represents a classic example of memory safety issues that have plagued software systems for decades. The vulnerability's exploitation potential is further amplified by the widespread adoption of Parasolid across the engineering and manufacturing sectors, where CAD applications are frequently used to process design data from external sources.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond individual software installations, affecting entire engineering workflows and supply chains. Organizations that use CAD applications built on Parasolid are at risk of remote code execution attacks when processing untrusted X_B files, which are commonly exchanged between design teams, suppliers, and clients. This risk is particularly severe in manufacturing environments where design data flows through multiple parties and where the integrity of CAD models is critical for product development. The vulnerability could be exploited in scenarios such as email attachments, file sharing platforms, or automated design pipeline integrations where X_B files are processed without proper validation. From an attack perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers exploitation of remote services, and represents a significant threat to industrial control systems and product lifecycle management environments where Parasolid-based applications are prevalent.
Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of affected Parasolid versions to mitigate this vulnerability, with specific attention to upgrading to the patched versions mentioned in the advisory: V33.1.264, V34.0.252, V34.1.242, and V35.0.170. System administrators should implement strict file validation policies for X_B file processing and consider network segmentation to limit exposure of affected applications. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all applications that may be using vulnerable versions of Parasolid, particularly in environments where design data is shared externally. The remediation process should include not only patching the core Parasolid libraries but also ensuring that all dependent applications that utilize these libraries are updated accordingly. Security teams should monitor for any indicators of exploitation attempts and consider implementing network-based intrusion detection systems to identify potential malicious X_B file traffic. This vulnerability underscores the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date geometric kernels in engineering applications and demonstrates how seemingly benign file parsing operations can become significant attack vectors in complex software ecosystems.