CVE-2024-52567 in Tecnomatix Plant Simulation
Summary
by MITRE • 11/18/2024
A vulnerability has been identified in Tecnomatix Plant Simulation V2302 (All versions < V2302.0018), Tecnomatix Plant Simulation V2404 (All versions < V2404.0007). The affected applications contain an out of bounds read past the end of an allocated structure while parsing specially crafted WRL files. This could allow an attacker to execute code in the context of the current process. (ZDI-CAN-24237)
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/11/2024
This vulnerability exists in Siemens Tecnomatix Plant Simulation software versions prior to specific patch levels, representing a critical out-of-bounds read condition that can be exploited through maliciously crafted WRL (World Reduced Language) files. The flaw occurs during the parsing of these 3D model files which are commonly used for visualization and simulation purposes within manufacturing and industrial automation environments. The vulnerability affects both V2302 and V2404 product lines, indicating it's a persistent issue across multiple release versions that has not been adequately addressed in the affected software branches.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient bounds checking during the WRL file parsing process, where the application attempts to read memory locations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries. This out-of-bounds read condition creates a potential code execution vector that allows attackers to manipulate the application's memory access patterns. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-125 as an out-of-bounds read, which is a well-documented weakness that frequently leads to arbitrary code execution when combined with other exploitation techniques. The specific nature of the flaw suggests that the software does not properly validate the length or structure of WRL file data before attempting to process it, leading to memory corruption that can be leveraged for remote code execution.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to industrial environments that rely on Tecnomatix Plant Simulation for manufacturing process modeling and simulation. Attackers could exploit this weakness by delivering malicious WRL files through various attack vectors including email attachments, web downloads, or compromised collaboration platforms where these simulation files are commonly shared. The impact extends beyond simple code execution as it could potentially allow attackers to gain persistent access to industrial control systems, disrupt manufacturing processes, or even compromise the broader industrial network infrastructure. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 (Exploitation for Client Execution) and could enable further lateral movement within industrial networks through techniques such as T1071.004 (Application Layer Protocol: DNS) or T1566 (Phishing) for initial access.
Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems to mitigate this vulnerability, as the software is widely used in manufacturing environments where operational technology (OT) security is paramount. The recommended mitigation strategy involves updating to the patched versions V2302.0018 and V2404.0007 respectively, while also implementing network segmentation to limit access to simulation environments. Additional defensive measures should include restricting file upload capabilities, implementing strict file validation for WRL content, and monitoring for unusual file processing activities. Security teams should also consider deploying network-based intrusion detection systems that can identify potential exploitation attempts through suspicious file transfer patterns or memory access anomalies. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices in industrial software and highlights the need for robust input validation mechanisms in applications handling external data formats, particularly in OT environments where the consequences of exploitation can extend beyond traditional cybersecurity concerns into operational technology disruption and safety risks.