CVE-2021-46156 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A vulnerability has been identified in Simcenter Femap V2020.2 and V2021.1 that could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code due to an out of bounds write vulnerability.

Understanding CVE-2021-46156

This CVE affects Siemens' Simcenter Femap software versions V2020.2 and V2021.1.

What is CVE-2021-46156?

CVE-2021-46156 is a vulnerability in Simcenter Femap versions V2020.2 and V2021.1 that allows for code execution by exploiting an out of bounds write issue in specially crafted NEU files.

The Impact of CVE-2021-46156

The vulnerability could be exploited by attackers to execute malicious code in the context of the current process, potentially leading to unauthorized access or system compromise.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-46156

This section delves into the technical specifics of the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability involves an out of bounds write past the end of an allocated structure during the parsing of maliciously crafted NEU files.

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected software: Simcenter Femap V2020.2 and V2021.1
All versions of the mentioned software are susceptible to this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by creating and coaxing the application to parse a specially crafted NEU file, triggering the out of bounds write and executing arbitrary code.

Mitigation and Prevention

To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2021-46156, the following steps are recommended:

Immediate Steps to Take

Implement the patches provided by Siemens for affected software versions.
Avoid opening NEU files from untrusted or unknown sources.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and apply security patches promptly.
Conduct security awareness training to educate users about the risks associated with opening files from untrusted sources.
Employ network segmentation and access controls to minimize the impact of potential attacks.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that you regularly check for and apply security updates and patches released by Siemens for Simcenter Femap V2020.2 and V2021.1.