CVE-2023-27399 in Tecnomatix Plant Simulation
Summary
by MITRE • 03/14/2023
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-20299, ZDI-CAN-20346)
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/14/2023
The vulnerability CVE-2023-27399 represents a critical buffer overflow condition affecting Tecnomatix Plant Simulation software versions prior to V2201.0006. This flaw manifests during the parsing of specially crafted SPP files, which are commonly used for simulation and modeling within industrial automation environments. The out-of-bounds write vulnerability occurs when the application processes malformed input data without proper boundary checks, leading to memory corruption that can be exploited by malicious actors.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write operations. The flaw specifically involves an application that fails to validate input boundaries when processing structured data files, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate memory layout and potentially execute arbitrary code. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous in industrial control systems where simulation software often runs with elevated privileges and may be accessible to users who should not have code execution capabilities.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to industrial environments that rely on Tecnomatix Plant Simulation for process modeling and optimization. Attackers could leverage this flaw to gain unauthorized code execution privileges within the simulation environment, potentially leading to disruption of critical manufacturing processes or lateral movement within industrial networks. The attack vector requires the victim to open a malicious SPP file, which could occur through social engineering campaigns targeting industrial engineers or through compromised software distribution channels. The impact extends beyond simple code execution to potential system compromise and data integrity violations in manufacturing environments.
The mitigation strategy should prioritize immediate software updates to version V2201.0006 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the buffer overflow condition. Organizations should also implement strict file validation procedures for SPP files, particularly those received from external sources or untrusted parties. Network segmentation and access controls should be reinforced to limit exposure of simulation environments to potential attackers. Additionally, regular security assessments of industrial control system software should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other legacy applications. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as successful exploitation would likely involve code execution within the target environment, potentially enabling further attack progression through lateral movement and privilege escalation techniques.