CVE-2023-39182 in Solid Edge SE2023
Summary
by MITRE • 08/08/2023
A vulnerability has been identified in Solid Edge SE2023 (All versions < V223.0 Update 7). The affected applications contain an out of bounds read past the end of an allocated structure while parsing specially crafted DFT files. This could allow an attacker to execute code in the context of the current process.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/08/2023
The vulnerability CVE-2023-39182 affects Solid Edge SE2023 software across all versions prior to V223.0 Update 7, representing a critical security flaw that stems from improper input validation during file parsing operations. This issue manifests as an out-of-bounds read condition that occurs when the application processes specially crafted DFT (Drafting File) format files, which are commonly used for storing technical drawings and designs within the Solid Edge ecosystem. The vulnerability resides in the application's file parsing logic where it fails to properly validate buffer boundaries when reading structured data from DFT files, creating a scenario where memory access extends beyond allocated memory regions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions that occur when a program accesses memory beyond the boundaries of a buffer or structure. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious DFT files that contain malformed data structures designed to trigger the out-of-bounds read behavior. When the vulnerable Solid Edge application attempts to parse such files, the program reads memory locations beyond the intended data structure boundaries, potentially exposing sensitive memory contents or causing the application to crash. This memory access violation can be leveraged to execute arbitrary code within the context of the current process, effectively providing attackers with the ability to compromise the target system.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-39182 extends beyond simple application instability, as it represents a remote code execution vulnerability that can be exploited through social engineering or targeted attacks. Attackers could distribute malicious DFT files via email attachments, file sharing platforms, or compromised websites, where unsuspecting users might open them with Solid Edge software. The vulnerability's exploitation capability maps to ATT&CK technique T1203, which involves executing malicious code through application execution, and T1059, which covers command and scripting interpreter usage. Organizations using Solid Edge for design and engineering work face significant risk as these applications are often deployed on workstations with elevated privileges, potentially allowing attackers to gain deeper system access.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-39182 should prioritize immediate application updates to V223.0 Update 7 or later versions, which contain patches addressing the out-of-bounds read condition. System administrators should implement strict file validation policies that prevent users from opening untrusted DFT files, particularly those received from external sources. Network-level controls including email filtering and web proxies can help reduce the attack surface by blocking potentially malicious file transfers. Additional protective measures include implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of Solid Edge only from trusted locations, disabling unnecessary file format support in the application, and monitoring for unusual file access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider network segmentation to limit lateral movement if exploitation occurs, and maintain comprehensive backup strategies to recover from potential compromise scenarios.