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CVE-2024-41981 Siemens CVE debrief

A heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability exists in Siemens Simcenter Femap when parsing specially crafted BDF (Bulk Data File) files. The vulnerability, published on December 10, 2024, allows an attacker to execute arbitrary code in the context of the current process. The CVSS 3.1 score of 7.8 (HIGH) reflects local attack vector, low attack complexity, no privileges required, but user interaction required. Affected versions include Simcenter Femap V2306, V2401, and V2406. Siemens has released a fix for V2406 through the Femap 2406 Nastran Updates, while no patch is currently available for V2306 and V2401. Users should avoid opening untrusted BDF files as an interim mitigation.

Vendor
Siemens
Product
Simcenter Nastran 2306
CVSS
HIGH 7.8
CISA KEV
Not listed in stored evidence
Original CVE published
2024-12-10
Original CVE updated
2024-12-10
Advisory published
2024-12-10
Advisory updated
2024-12-10

Who should care

Organizations using Siemens Simcenter Femap for finite element analysis and simulation, particularly in aerospace, automotive, and industrial manufacturing sectors. Security teams protecting engineering workstations and product lifecycle management (PLM) environments should prioritize this vulnerability due to the potential for code execution in critical design systems.

Technical summary

The vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking during parsing of BDF (Bulk Data File) format files in Simcenter Femap. BDF files are commonly used in finite element analysis workflows. A malformed BDF file can trigger a heap-based buffer overflow, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the Femap process. The attack requires local access and user interaction (opening a malicious file), but no special privileges. This vulnerability class is particularly concerning in engineering environments where BDF files may be exchanged between collaborators or downloaded from external sources.

Defensive priority

high

Recommended defensive actions

  • Apply the Femap 2406 Nastran Updates to all Simcenter Femap V2406.x installations
  • Do not open untrusted or unsolicited BDF files in affected Simcenter Femap versions
  • Monitor Siemens security advisories for future patches for V2306 and V2401
  • Implement defense-in-depth controls for engineering workstations running Simcenter Femap
  • Restrict file import operations to trusted sources only

Evidence notes

CVE published and modified 2024-12-10. CISA ICS advisory ICSA-24-347-06 issued same date. Siemens security advisory SSA-881356 confirms affected products and remediation status.

Sources and references

Verified primary and authoritative sources

  • CVE-2024-41981 CVE Program record

    Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified

    URL: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2024-41981

    CVE Program - Official CVE Program record with source-provided CVE metadata.

  • CVE-2024-41981 NVD vulnerability detail

    Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified

    URL: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-41981

    NIST National Vulnerability Database - Official NIST NVD detail page and source-specific vulnerability assessment.

Supplemental references

  • Source item URL

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://raw.githubusercontent.com/cisagov/CSAF/develop/csaf_files/OT/white/2024/icsa-24-284-02.json

    cisa_csaf

  • Source reference

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://cert-portal.siemens.com/productcert/csaf/ssa-852501.json

    Reference

  • Source reference

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://cert-portal.siemens.com/productcert/html/ssa-852501.html

    Reference

  • Source reference

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/ics-advisories/icsa-24-284-02

    Reference

  • Source reference

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://www.cisa.gov/uscert/ics/alerts/ICS-ALERT-10-301-01

    Reference

  • Source reference

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://www.cisa.gov/resources-tools/resources/ics-recommended-practices

    Reference

  • Source reference

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://www.cisa.gov/topics/industrial-control-systems

    Reference

  • Source reference

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://us-cert.cisa.gov/sites/default/files/recommended_practices/NCCIC_ICS-CERT_Defense_in_Depth_2016_S508C.pdf

    Reference

Methodology and review provenance

AI-assisted synthesis based on stored public vulnerability evidence. System validation, approval state, and publication status do not by themselves establish human review of this revision. PatchSiren helps prioritize defensive review and does not prove exposure or remediation on any system.