CVE-2026-59700 in Simcenter Femap
Summary
by MITRE • 08/11/2026
A vulnerability has been identified in Simcenter Femap (All versions < V2606.0001). The affected applications contains an out of bounds read vulnerability while parsing specially crafted BMP 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 • 08/11/2026
This vulnerability resides within Simcenter Femap software where an out-of-bounds read condition occurs during the parsing of maliciously crafted bmp image files. The flaw represents a classic buffer over-read scenario that falls under the CWE-125 weakness category, specifically manifesting as an improper input validation issue when processing image file formats. The vulnerability allows attackers to manipulate memory access patterns through carefully constructed bmp file headers and data structures, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution within the context of the currently running process.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to craft a specially designed bmp file that triggers the out-of-bounds memory read during the image parsing routine. When the application attempts to parse the malformed file, it reads memory locations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries, which can result in information disclosure or code execution depending on how the memory is structured. This type of vulnerability typically aligns with the ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1203 for exploitation for privilege escalation through process injection.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution as it represents a critical security flaw that could be leveraged in various attack scenarios including targeted attacks against engineering teams using Simcenter Femap, supply chain compromises where malicious files are embedded in legitimate software packages, or social engineering campaigns where users are tricked into opening compromised bmp files. The vulnerability affects all versions prior to V2606.0001 making it a widespread concern for organizations utilizing this finite element analysis software. Attackers could potentially leverage this weakness to establish persistent access within engineering environments where such software is commonly used for design and simulation work.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems to version V2606.0001 or later, which would address the underlying buffer handling issues in the bmp file parser. Organizations should also implement restrictive file type validation controls that prevent automatic processing of potentially malicious image files, particularly in environments where users may encounter untrusted content. Network segmentation and application whitelisting can provide additional layers of defense by limiting the potential attack surface and preventing unauthorized execution of vulnerable code. Security monitoring should focus on detecting unusual file processing activities or memory access patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, regular security assessments of engineering software environments are recommended to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications that may be processing untrusted image content through similar parsing mechanisms.