Siemens Simcenter Nastran

As of January 10, 2023, CISA will no longer be updating ICS security advisories for Siemens product vulnerabilities beyond the initial advisory. For the most up-to-date information on vulnerabilities in this advisory, please see Siemens' ProductCERT Security Advisories (CERT Services | Services | Siemens Global). 

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1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

• CVSS v4 7.3
• ATTENTION: Low Attack Complexity
• Vendor: Siemens
• Equipment: Simcenter Nastran
• Vulnerabilities: Heap-based Buffer Overflow, Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer

2. RISK EVALUATION

Successful exploitation of these vulnerabilities could allow an attacker to execute code in the context of the current process.

3. TECHNICAL DETAILS

3.1 AFFECTED PRODUCTS

Siemens reports that the following versions of Simcenter Nastran finite element method (FEM) solver are affected:

• Simcenter Nastran 2306: All versions
• Simcenter Nastran 2312: All versions
• Simcenter Nastran 2406: Versions prior to V2406.5000

3.2 Vulnerability Overview

3.2.1 HEAP-BASED BUFFER OVERFLOW CWE-122

Simcenter Nastran is vulnerable to heap-based buffer overflow while parsing specially crafted BDF files. This could allow an attacker to execute code in the context of the current process.

CVE-2024-41981 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3 base score of 7.8 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H).

A CVSS v4 score has also been calculated for CVE-2024-41981. A base score of 7.3 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:H/AT:N/PR:N/UI:P/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N).

3.2.2 IMPROPER RESTRICTION OF OPERATIONS WITHIN THE BOUNDS OF A MEMORY BUFFER CWE-119

Simcenter Nastran is vulnerable to memory corruption while parsing specially crafted BDF files. This could allow an attacker to execute code in the context of the current process.

CVE-2024-47046 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3 base score of 7.8 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H).

A CVSS v4 score has also been calculated for CVE-2024-47046. A base score of 7.3 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:H/AT:N/PR:N/UI:P/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N).

3.3 BACKGROUND

• CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE SECTORS: Critical Manufacturing
• COUNTRIES/AREAS DEPLOYED: Worldwide
• COMPANY HEADQUARTERS LOCATION: Germany

3.4 RESEARCHER

Michael Heinzl reported these vulnerabilities to Siemens.

4. MITIGATIONS

Siemens has released a new version for Simcenter Nastran 2406 and recommends updating to V2406.5000 or later version. Siemens is preparing further fix versions and recommends countermeasures for products where fixes are not, or not yet available.

Siemens has identified the following specific workarounds and mitigations users can apply to reduce risk:

• Do not open untrusted BDF files in the affected applications

As a general security measure, Siemens recommends protecting network access to devices with appropriate mechanisms. To operate the devices in a protected IT environment, Siemens recommends configuring the environment according to Siemens' operational guidelines for industrial security and following recommendations in the product manuals.

Additional information on industrial security by Siemens can be found on the Siemens industrial security webpage

For more information see the associated Siemens security advisory SSA-852501 in HTML and CSAF.

CISA recommends users take the following measures to protect themselves from social engineering attacks:

• Do not click web links or open attachments in unsolicited email messages.
• Refer to Recognizing and Avoiding Email Scams for more information on avoiding email scams.
• Refer to Avoiding Social Engineering and Phishing Attacks for more information on social engineering attacks.

CISA reminds organizations to perform proper impact analysis and risk assessment prior to deploying defensive measures.

CISA also provides a section for control systems security recommended practices on the ICS webpage on cisa.gov. Several CISA products detailing cyber defense best practices are available for reading and download, including Improving Industrial Control Systems Cybersecurity with Defense-in-Depth Strategies.

CISA encourages organizations to implement recommended cybersecurity strategies for proactive defense of ICS assets.

Additional mitigation guidance and recommended practices are publicly available on the ICS webpage at cisa.gov in the technical information paper, ICS-TIP-12-146-01B--Targeted Cyber Intrusion Detection and Mitigation Strategies.

Organizations observing suspected malicious activity should follow established internal procedures and report findings to CISA for tracking and correlation against other incidents.

No known public exploitation specifically targeting these vulnerabilities has been reported to CISA at this time. These vulnerabilities are not exploitable remotely.

5. UPDATE HISTORY

• October 10, 2024: Initial Publication

• Siemens