CVE-2025-40829 is a vulnerability classified under CWE-908 (Use of Uninitialized Resource) affecting Siemens Simcenter Femap software versions prior to V2512. The flaw arises from improper initialization of memory during the parsing of SLDPRT files, which are CAD part files used within the application. An attacker can craft a malicious SLDPRT file that, when opened by a user in the vulnerable version of Simcenter Femap, triggers the use of uninitialized memory leading to undefined behavior. This can be leveraged to execute arbitrary code within the context of the current user process. The CVSS v3.1 score is 7.8 (high), reflecting the potential for high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The attack vector is local (AV:L), requiring the attacker to have access to the victim’s system and for the user to interact by opening the malicious file (UI:R). No privileges are required (PR:N), and the scope remains unchanged (S:U). Although no known exploits have been reported in the wild, the vulnerability poses a significant risk due to the ability to execute code remotely via crafted files, which could be delivered through phishing or insider threats. Siemens has not yet released a patch, and the vulnerability was publicly disclosed in December 2025. The affected software is widely used in engineering and manufacturing industries for finite element analysis and simulation, making it a critical asset in industrial environments.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-40829 is substantial. Simcenter Femap is commonly used in sectors such as automotive, aerospace, energy, and manufacturing, all of which are critical to the European economy. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized code execution, potentially allowing attackers to steal intellectual property, disrupt engineering workflows, or sabotage product designs. This could result in financial losses, reputational damage, and operational downtime. Given the high confidentiality and integrity impact, sensitive design data could be compromised or altered. Availability may also be affected if the exploitation causes application crashes or system instability. The requirement for local access and user interaction somewhat limits the attack surface but does not eliminate risk, especially in environments where file sharing and collaboration are frequent. The lack of a patch increases exposure time, necessitating immediate mitigations. The threat is particularly relevant for organizations with Siemens software deployments and those involved in critical infrastructure or strategic industries within Europe.

1. Until Siemens releases an official patch, restrict the opening of SLDPRT files from untrusted or external sources. 2. Implement strict file validation and scanning policies for CAD files entering the network, using sandboxing or specialized malware detection tools capable of analyzing CAD file formats. 3. Educate users about the risks of opening unsolicited or suspicious CAD files, emphasizing the need for caution and verification. 4. Employ application whitelisting and privilege restrictions to limit the execution context of Simcenter Femap, reducing the impact of potential code execution. 5. Monitor system and application logs for unusual behavior indicative of exploitation attempts, such as unexpected crashes or process anomalies. 6. Isolate critical engineering workstations from general-purpose networks to reduce exposure. 7. Maintain up-to-date backups of engineering data to enable recovery in case of compromise. 8. Engage with Siemens support channels for updates on patch availability and apply updates promptly once released.