CVE-2024-45463: Siemens Tecnomatix Plant Simulation RCE

CVE-2024-45463 Overview

CVE-2024-45463 is an out-of-bounds read vulnerability affecting Siemens Teamcenter Visualization and Tecnomatix Plant Simulation. The flaw resides in the WRL (VRML) file parser, which reads past the end of an allocated structure when processing specially crafted files. An attacker who convinces a user to open a malicious WRL file can execute code in the context of the current process. The weakness is classified under CWE-125: Out-of-bounds Read. Siemens published fixes and mitigations in advisories SSA-583523 and SSA-645131.

Critical Impact
Successful exploitation permits arbitrary code execution in the process context of the affected engineering or visualization application, potentially compromising sensitive product lifecycle and manufacturing data.

Affected Products

Siemens Teamcenter Visualization V14.2 (versions prior to V14.2.0.14) and V14.3 (versions prior to V14.3.0.12)
Siemens Teamcenter Visualization V2312 (versions prior to V2312.0008)
Siemens Tecnomatix Plant Simulation V2302 (versions prior to V2302.0016) and V2404 (versions prior to V2404.0005)

Discovery Timeline

2024-10-08 - CVE-2024-45463 published to NVD
2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-45463

Vulnerability Analysis

The affected applications parse WRL (Virtual Reality Modeling Language) scene description files used to represent 3D geometry in Teamcenter Visualization and Tecnomatix Plant Simulation. The parser fails to validate boundary conditions when reading fields from an internally allocated structure. A crafted WRL file causes the parser to read memory past the allocation, resulting in an out-of-bounds read.

While out-of-bounds reads commonly lead to information disclosure, Siemens confirms this instance can be leveraged for code execution in the current process. Adjacent memory content influences downstream parsing decisions, giving an attacker control over control-flow-relevant data. The attack requires local file access and user interaction, since the victim must open the crafted file.

Exploitation does not require prior authentication to the target host, but it does depend on the victim opening a supplied WRL file in a vulnerable version. The scope of impact is limited to the application process, which typically holds the interactive user's privileges.

Root Cause

The defect is a missing bounds check inside the WRL parsing logic. The parser dereferences an index or pointer that extends beyond the size of a heap-allocated structure. This maps to [CWE-125], where read operations exceed the allocated buffer boundary during file deserialization.

Attack Vector

An attacker crafts a malicious .wrl file and delivers it through email, shared network locations, or product data management workflows. When a user opens the file in a vulnerable version of Teamcenter Visualization or Tecnomatix Plant Simulation, the parser triggers the out-of-bounds read. The condition can be shaped to corrupt program state and hijack execution flow.

No public proof-of-concept has been reported, and the vulnerability is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog. Technical specifics of the vulnerable parsing routine are not disclosed by Siemens; refer to Siemens Security Advisory SSA-583523 for authoritative details.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-45463

Indicators of Compromise

Unexpected crashes, access violations, or memory read faults in TcVis.exe, PlantSimulation.exe, or related visualization binaries when opening WRL files.
Newly delivered .wrl files from external or untrusted sources, especially those sent outside standard PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) workflows.
Child processes spawned by the visualization or simulation applications that deviate from typical engineering activity (for example, command shells or script interpreters).

Detection Strategies

Hunt for process creation events where Teamcenter Visualization or Tecnomatix Plant Simulation launches interpreters such as cmd.exe, powershell.exe, or wscript.exe.
Alert on file writes to user profile directories following the opening of .wrl files by engineering workstations.
Correlate application crash telemetry with recent file-open events referencing WRL content to surface exploitation attempts.

Monitoring Recommendations

Enable EDR (Endpoint Detection and Response) telemetry on engineering workstations running the affected Siemens products.
Log file provenance for WRL files entering PLM repositories, including sender, source system, and upload timestamp.
Track application version inventories to identify hosts still running versions below the fixed releases listed by Siemens.

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-45463

Immediate Actions Required

Upgrade to fixed versions: Teamcenter Visualization V14.2.0.14, V14.3.0.12, or V2312.0008; Tecnomatix Plant Simulation V2302.0016 or V2404.0005.
Restrict opening of WRL files to trusted sources only, and block inbound .wrl attachments at the email gateway where feasible.
Inventory all systems running Siemens Teamcenter Visualization and Tecnomatix Plant Simulation and prioritize patching for engineering endpoints.

Patch Information

Siemens has released patched versions addressing the out-of-bounds read. Refer to Siemens Security Advisory SSA-583523 for Teamcenter Visualization fixes and Siemens Security Advisory SSA-645131 for Tecnomatix Plant Simulation fixes. Apply updates through standard Siemens software distribution channels.

Workarounds

Do not open WRL files from untrusted or unverified sources on hosts running vulnerable versions.
Enforce application allowlisting so that only expected child processes can spawn from Teamcenter Visualization and Tecnomatix Plant Simulation.
Segment engineering workstations from general-purpose corporate networks to limit lateral movement following a successful compromise.

bash

# Configuration example - verify installed versions on Windows engineering hosts
wmic product where "Name like 'Teamcenter Visualization%%'" get Name,Version
wmic product where "Name like 'Tecnomatix Plant Simulation%%'" get Name,Version