CVE-2023-24980 in Tecnomatix Plant Simulation
Summary
by MITRE • 02/14/2023
A vulnerability has been identified in Tecnomatix Plant Simulation (All versions < V2201.0006). The affected application contains an out of bounds write past the end of an allocated buffer while parsing a specially crafted SPP file. This could allow an attacker to execute code in the context of the current process. (ZDI-CAN-19790)
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/14/2023
The vulnerability CVE-2023-24980 represents a critical out-of-bounds write flaw in Tecnomatix Plant Simulation software version 2201.0006 and earlier. This issue stems from insufficient input validation during the parsing of specially crafted SPP files which are used for simulation data exchange within the manufacturing process planning environment. The vulnerability exists within the application's file processing logic where memory allocation does not properly account for the actual data size during parsing operations. This flaw falls under the CWE-787 category of out-of-bounds write conditions, which is classified as a severe memory corruption vulnerability that can lead to arbitrary code execution.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the application attempts to parse maliciously constructed SPP files that contain oversized data structures or malformed buffer boundaries. During the parsing process, the software allocates memory for buffer storage but fails to validate whether the incoming data exceeds the allocated buffer limits. When the parsing routine encounters data that exceeds these boundaries, it writes beyond the allocated memory region, potentially overwriting adjacent memory locations including function pointers, return addresses, or other critical program data structures. This memory corruption directly enables attackers to manipulate program execution flow and achieve code execution privileges within the context of the current user process.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution as it provides attackers with a potential pathway for privilege escalation and persistent access within manufacturing environments. Manufacturing execution systems and plant simulation platforms are often critical infrastructure components where unauthorized access can lead to production disruption, intellectual property theft, or even physical safety risks. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability through social engineering tactics to deliver malicious SPP files via email attachments or compromised web portals, requiring no special privileges to initiate the attack vector. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal user interaction, making it particularly dangerous in industrial environments where security awareness may be limited.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-24980 should prioritize immediate software updates to version 2201.0006 or later, as provided by the vendor to address the buffer overflow condition. Organizations should implement strict file validation procedures for all incoming SPP files, including file type verification, size limitations, and content scanning before processing. Network segmentation and access controls should be enforced to limit exposure of the affected software to untrusted networks or users. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for execution through scriptlets and T1203 for exploitation of vulnerabilities, making it a significant concern for industrial control system security. Security teams should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies and monitoring for unusual file processing activities that could indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, regular security assessments of industrial automation systems should include vulnerability scanning for similar buffer overflow conditions to prevent similar issues from remaining undetected in the broader industrial ecosystem.