CVE-2023-24985 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-19807)
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/12/2023
The vulnerability CVE-2023-24985 affects Tecnomatix Plant Simulation software versions prior to V2201.0006, representing a critical security flaw that could enable remote code execution. This issue manifests as an out-of-bounds write condition during the parsing of specially crafted SPP files, which are commonly used within the simulation environment for modeling manufacturing processes and plant operations. The vulnerability resides in the application's file processing mechanism, specifically within the buffer handling logic that fails to properly validate input data length before writing to allocated memory regions.
This memory corruption vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking during the parsing of structured data within SPP files, creating a scenario where malicious input can cause the application to write data beyond the boundaries of allocated memory buffers. The flaw is classified as a buffer overflow condition that directly violates the principles of safe memory management practices. According to CWE classification, this represents a CWE-121: Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which occurs when a program writes beyond the bounds of a stack-allocated buffer, potentially allowing attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations including return addresses and control data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with the capability to escalate privileges within the context of the running application process. Since the exploitation occurs during file parsing operations, an attacker could potentially deliver malicious SPP files through various attack vectors including email attachments, web downloads, or file sharing platforms. The vulnerability affects the application's integrity and availability, as successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive manufacturing data and processes. Attackers leveraging this vulnerability could potentially gain persistent access to industrial control systems and disrupt critical manufacturing operations.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate software updates to version V2201.0006 or later, which contain patches addressing the buffer overflow condition. Organizations should implement strict file validation procedures for SPP files, particularly those received from untrusted sources, and consider deploying network segmentation to limit access to affected systems. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter: Python, as attackers may use the compromised system to execute additional malicious code. Additionally, implementing application whitelisting and mandatory access controls can help prevent unauthorized execution of malicious payloads. System administrators should also monitor for suspicious file access patterns and implement regular security assessments to identify potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation in industrial control systems and highlights the need for robust memory safety mechanisms in enterprise software applications.