CVE-2024-33653 Overview
CVE-2024-33653 is an out-of-bounds read vulnerability in Siemens Simcenter Femap, a finite element modeling and analysis application. All versions prior to V2406 are affected. The flaw resides in the BMP file parsing logic, which reads past the end of an allocated structure when processing a specially crafted image. An attacker who convinces a user to open a malicious BMP file can execute code in the context of the current process. The issue is tracked under CWE-125: Out-of-bounds Read and requires local access with user interaction. Siemens published details in the Siemens Security Advisory SSA-064222.
Critical Impact
Successful exploitation allows arbitrary code execution in the context of the user running Simcenter Femap, potentially compromising engineering workstations and intellectual property.
Affected Products
- Siemens Simcenter Femap — all versions prior to V2406
Discovery Timeline
- 2024-07-09 - CVE-2024-33653 published to the National Vulnerability Database (NVD)
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in the NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2024-33653
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability is an out-of-bounds read (OOB read) triggered during BMP image parsing inside Simcenter Femap. When the application processes a specially crafted BMP file, it reads memory past the end of an allocated structure. This memory-corruption class weakness is classified under CWE-125.
Depending on the memory layout at exploitation time, the read primitive can be leveraged to leak sensitive data or, in conjunction with other conditions, redirect control flow. Siemens states the impact includes code execution in the context of the current process, which typically corresponds to the interactive user account running Femap on an engineering workstation.
Exploitation is local and user-assisted. The victim must open a malicious BMP file, either standalone or as part of a model import workflow. No network access and no authentication to the target are required.
Root Cause
The root cause is insufficient bounds validation during parsing of BMP header or pixel data structures. Femap allocates a buffer or structure based on values derived from the file, then indexes beyond the allocated size while iterating parsed fields. The missing size check permits reads outside the intended structure.
Attack Vector
The attack vector is a maliciously crafted BMP file delivered through phishing, shared engineering assets, or supply-chain vectors such as tampered CAD projects. When the user opens the file in an affected Simcenter Femap build, the parser triggers the out-of-bounds read and can be chained to achieve arbitrary code execution as the current user.
No public proof-of-concept exploit and no CISA KEV entry are associated with this CVE at the time of publication. See the Siemens Security Advisory SSA-064222 for vendor-supplied details.
Detection Methods for CVE-2024-33653
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected crashes or hangs of femap.exe shortly after opening a BMP file or importing an image asset.
- Presence of unsolicited BMP files in engineering project directories, email attachments, or shared drives targeting Femap users.
- Child processes or scripting interpreters spawned by femap.exe (for example cmd.exe, powershell.exe, rundll32.exe).
- Suspicious outbound network connections originating from the Femap process shortly after file open events.
Detection Strategies
- Endpoint behavioral monitoring for anomalous child process creation from femap.exe, which normally does not spawn shells or scripting hosts.
- File-hash and YARA-based inspection of BMP files transiting mail gateways and file shares serving CAD/CAE teams.
- Application crash telemetry correlation: repeated Windows Error Reporting entries for Femap with access-violation exceptions during image parsing.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable Windows Event Log forwarding for Application crash events (Event ID 1000) and process creation (Event ID 4688) on engineering workstations.
- Track file provenance for BMP and other image formats introduced into Femap project directories from untrusted sources.
- Baseline expected Femap process behavior and alert on deviations such as new outbound connections or module loads from user-writable paths.
How to Mitigate CVE-2024-33653
Immediate Actions Required
- Upgrade Simcenter Femap to V2406 or later on all engineering workstations, per the Siemens Security Advisory SSA-064222.
- Inventory endpoints running Femap and prioritize systems with access to sensitive engineering data or shared model repositories.
- Instruct users to avoid opening BMP files or Femap models received from untrusted or unverified sources.
Patch Information
Siemens has released Simcenter Femap V2406, which remediates the out-of-bounds read in the BMP parser. All prior versions remain vulnerable. Customers should obtain the fixed release through their standard Siemens Digital Industries Software distribution channel and validate deployment across all Femap installations.
Workarounds
- Restrict user permissions so that Femap runs under a standard, non-privileged account to limit post-exploitation impact.
- Block or quarantine BMP files originating from external email and untrusted file shares at the gateway.
- Segment engineering workstations from general corporate networks and restrict outbound connectivity from CAE tools to required destinations only.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
