CVE-2022-39157 is a security vulnerability identified in Siemens Parasolid versions prior to specific patch levels across multiple releases (V34.0, V34.1, and V35.0) as well as in Simcenter Femap versions before 2023.1. The vulnerability is classified as CWE-125, an out-of-bounds read, which occurs when the software reads data beyond the boundary of an allocated memory buffer. Specifically, this flaw arises during the parsing of specially crafted X_T files, a file format used by Parasolid for representing 3D geometric modeling data. An attacker who crafts a malicious X_T file can exploit this vulnerability to cause the application to read memory outside the intended buffer, potentially leading to memory corruption. This memory corruption can be leveraged to execute arbitrary code within the context of the affected process, which may result in unauthorized actions such as privilege escalation or data manipulation. The vulnerability does not require prior authentication or user interaction beyond opening or processing the malicious file. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the nature of the vulnerability and its potential for remote exploitation through crafted files make it a significant risk. Siemens has released patches for affected versions, but no direct patch links are provided in the source information. The vulnerability affects widely used engineering and CAD software components critical in product design and manufacturing workflows.

For European organizations, especially those in the manufacturing, automotive, aerospace, and industrial design sectors, this vulnerability poses a substantial risk. Parasolid and Simcenter Femap are integral to many CAD/CAM workflows, and exploitation could lead to unauthorized code execution, potentially compromising intellectual property, disrupting design processes, or enabling lateral movement within corporate networks. The confidentiality of sensitive design data could be breached, and the integrity of product models could be undermined, leading to flawed manufacturing outputs. Availability could also be impacted if exploitation causes application crashes or system instability. Given the strategic importance of manufacturing and engineering in Europe’s economy, exploitation could have cascading effects on supply chains and innovation. The lack of known exploits currently reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, especially as attackers often develop exploits post-disclosure.

European organizations should prioritize the following specific actions: 1) Immediate inventory and identification of all affected Siemens Parasolid and Simcenter Femap installations, including version verification against the patched versions (V34.0.252+, V34.1.244+, V35.0.184+, and Simcenter Femap 2023.1+). 2) Apply Siemens’ official patches or updates as soon as they become available to remediate the vulnerability. 3) Implement strict file validation and sandboxing for any X_T files received from external or untrusted sources to prevent malicious file processing. 4) Restrict access to CAD software environments to trusted users and networks, employing network segmentation to limit potential lateral movement if exploitation occurs. 5) Monitor application logs and system behavior for anomalies indicative of exploitation attempts, such as unexpected crashes or memory errors during file parsing. 6) Educate engineering and design teams about the risks of opening files from unverified sources and enforce policies for secure file handling. 7) Consider deploying endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of detecting abnormal process behavior related to Parasolid or Simcenter Femap.