CVE-2023-24996 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-19818)
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/14/2023
The vulnerability CVE-2023-24996 represents a critical out-of-bounds write flaw in Tecnomatix Plant Simulation software, specifically affecting versions prior to V2201.0006. This issue stems from inadequate input validation during the parsing of specially crafted SPP files, which are used for simulation and modeling within the industrial automation environment. The vulnerability exists at the intersection of memory safety and software parsing, creating a potential attack vector that could be exploited by malicious actors with access to the target system.
The technical nature of this vulnerability falls under CWE-787, which describes out-of-bounds write conditions where a program writes data past the end of a buffer. In this case, the buffer overflow occurs during the parsing of SPP files, which are proprietary formats used by the Plant Simulation application for storing simulation data and configurations. When an attacker crafts a malicious SPP file with malformed data structures, the application's parsing routine fails to properly validate array boundaries, leading to memory corruption that can be leveraged for arbitrary code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant within industrial control system environments where Tecnomatix Plant Simulation is deployed. Attackers could potentially execute malicious code with the privileges of the currently running process, which typically operates with elevated permissions within the simulation environment. This could lead to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, or disruption of critical manufacturing processes. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in environments where simulation models are shared between different users or systems, as a single malicious file could compromise multiple installations.
From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to execute arbitrary commands within the simulation environment. The attack surface is limited to users who have the ability to create or modify SPP files, making social engineering or supply chain compromise potential attack vectors. Organizations should implement strict file validation procedures and restrict user permissions to minimize exposure.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate patching to version V2201.0006 or later, which contains the necessary buffer boundary checks. Additionally, organizations should implement file integrity monitoring for SPP files, restrict user access to simulation environments, and consider network segmentation to limit potential lateral movement. Input validation should be strengthened across all file parsing routines, and regular security assessments should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in industrial control system software. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of memory safety in industrial automation software and the need for comprehensive security testing in critical infrastructure applications.