CVE-2026-23719 is a heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability identified in Siemens Simcenter Femap and Simcenter Nastran software products, affecting all versions prior to V2512. The vulnerability arises during the parsing of specially crafted NDB files, which are used within these engineering simulation tools. A heap-based buffer overflow occurs when the software fails to properly validate or bounds-check input data, leading to memory corruption. This corruption can be exploited by an attacker to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the current user process. The vulnerability requires local access to the system and user interaction to open or process the malicious NDB file, but does not require prior authentication or elevated privileges. The CVSS v3.1 score of 7.8 reflects high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, with low attack complexity and no privileges required. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the nature of the vulnerability makes it a significant risk for organizations relying on these Siemens products for engineering simulations. The affected software is widely used in industries such as aerospace, automotive, and manufacturing, where simulation accuracy and security are critical. The vulnerability could allow attackers to compromise sensitive design data, disrupt engineering workflows, or gain footholds for further network intrusion.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2026-23719 is considerable due to the widespread use of Siemens Simcenter Femap and Nastran in key industrial sectors such as automotive, aerospace, and manufacturing. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized code execution, resulting in theft or manipulation of sensitive intellectual property, disruption of simulation processes, and potential downtime of critical engineering operations. This could have downstream effects on product development cycles and supply chain reliability. The confidentiality breach risks exposure of proprietary designs, while integrity compromise could lead to flawed simulation results, impacting product safety and compliance. Availability impacts could delay project timelines and increase operational costs. Given the high integration of Siemens tools in European industrial environments, the vulnerability poses a strategic risk, especially for organizations involved in defense, automotive manufacturing, and critical infrastructure development.

1. Apply updates to Siemens Simcenter Femap and Simcenter Nastran to version V2512 or later as soon as patches become available from Siemens. 2. Until patches are deployed, restrict access to NDB files by limiting file sharing and network access to trusted users only. 3. Implement strict file validation and scanning controls to detect and block malformed or suspicious NDB files before they reach end users. 4. Educate users about the risks of opening untrusted NDB files and enforce policies to avoid processing files from unknown sources. 5. Monitor system and application logs for unusual behavior or crashes related to NDB file processing. 6. Employ endpoint protection solutions capable of detecting exploitation attempts targeting heap-based buffer overflows. 7. Consider isolating simulation environments or running them with least privilege to limit the impact of potential exploitation. 8. Coordinate with Siemens support for any interim mitigation guidance and to receive timely patch notifications.