CVE-2023-24995 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-19817)
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/12/2023
The vulnerability CVE-2023-24995 affects Tecnomatix Plant Simulation software across all versions prior to V2201.0006, representing a critical security flaw that could enable remote code execution. This issue stems from improper input validation during the parsing of specially crafted SPP files, which are used for simulation modeling and process planning within industrial automation environments. The vulnerability resides in the application's handling of file format parsing operations, where insufficient boundary checks allow for memory corruption that can be exploited by malicious actors.
The technical flaw manifests as an out-of-bounds write condition that occurs when the application processes malformed SPP files. This buffer overflow vulnerability specifically targets memory allocation boundaries during file parsing operations, allowing an attacker to overwrite adjacent memory locations beyond the intended buffer limits. The vulnerability is classified as a CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which falls under the broader category of memory safety issues that have been extensively documented in cybersecurity literature. When exploited, this condition can lead to arbitrary code execution within the context of the current process, potentially allowing attackers to gain full control over the affected system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it represents a significant risk to industrial control systems and manufacturing environments where Tecnomatix Plant Simulation is deployed. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to inject malicious code into simulation processes, potentially disrupting production workflows or gaining persistent access to industrial networks. The attack vector requires the victim to open a specially crafted SPP file, making this a typical file-based exploit that could be delivered through phishing campaigns or malicious file sharing. This vulnerability particularly affects manufacturing and process engineering environments where simulation tools are extensively used for production planning and optimization.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including updating to the patched version V2201.0006 or later, implementing strict file validation controls, and monitoring for suspicious file access patterns. Security teams should also consider network segmentation to limit potential lateral movement and implement application whitelisting to prevent execution of untrusted SPP files. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1566 for Phishing, as attackers would likely use social engineering to deliver malicious files. Additionally, organizations should review their incident response procedures to ensure preparedness for potential exploitation of this vulnerability in industrial control environments.