CVE-2024-47941 in Solid Edge SE2024
Summary
by MITRE • 11/12/2024
A vulnerability has been identified in Solid Edge SE2024 (All versions < V224.0 Update 9). The affected applications contain an out of bounds read past the end of an allocated structure while parsing specially crafted PAR files. This could allow an attacker to execute code in the context of the current process.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/14/2024
This vulnerability exists within Solid Edge SE2024 software versions prior to V224.0 Update 9, representing a critical security flaw that could enable remote code execution. The issue manifests as an out-of-bounds read condition that occurs during the parsing of specially crafted PAR files, which are typically used for storing design data and project information within the Solid Edge environment. The vulnerability falls under the category of memory safety issues and specifically represents a classic buffer over-read scenario where the application attempts to access memory beyond the boundaries of allocated data structures.
The technical implementation of this flaw involves the parsing logic within Solid Edge's file handling mechanisms where PAR files are processed. When an attacker crafts a malicious PAR file with malformed data structures, the parsing routine fails to properly validate array bounds or structure lengths before accessing memory locations. This improper validation allows the application to read memory beyond the intended data boundaries, potentially exposing sensitive memory contents or triggering exploitable conditions. The vulnerability is classified as a CWE-125: Out-of-bounds Read according to the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog, which specifically addresses situations where software reads data past the end of a buffer or structure. This type of vulnerability commonly enables attackers to achieve arbitrary code execution through carefully constructed inputs that manipulate the program flow.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it allows remote code execution within the context of the current user process running Solid Edge. An attacker could potentially deliver a malicious PAR file through various attack vectors including email attachments, web downloads, or file sharing platforms. Once opened by an unsuspecting user, the vulnerable application would parse the malicious file and execute the attacker's code with the privileges of the current user. This presents a significant risk in enterprise environments where design engineers frequently handle external files and collaborate on projects. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that PAR files are commonly exchanged between team members and used in collaborative design workflows, making this vulnerability highly exploitable in real-world scenarios.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate software updates to V224.0 Update 9 or later versions where the parsing logic has been corrected to properly validate buffer boundaries. Organizations should implement strict file validation procedures for incoming PAR files and consider deploying network-based intrusion detection systems that can identify suspicious file patterns. Additionally, users should be educated about the risks of opening untrusted files and the importance of maintaining current software versions. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203: Exploitation for Client Execution, which describes how attackers use software vulnerabilities to execute malicious code on target systems. Security teams should monitor for exploitation attempts and implement application whitelisting policies to restrict execution of unauthorized binaries. The fix implemented by Siemens in the updated version addresses the root cause by introducing proper bounds checking and input validation mechanisms within the PAR file parser, preventing the out-of-bounds memory access that previously enabled code execution.