CVE-2025-25267 Overview
CVE-2025-25267 affects Siemens Tecnomatix Plant Simulation, an industrial simulation platform used to model production systems. The affected application does not properly restrict the scope of files accessible to the simulation model. An unauthorized local attacker can leverage this weakness to read files outside the intended simulation context, compromising the confidentiality of the host system.
The issue is tracked under [CWE-552] (Files or Directories Accessible to External Parties) and is documented in Siemens Security Advisory SSA-507653.
Critical Impact
A crafted simulation model can access files on the host that should be outside the model's scope, exposing sensitive data on engineering workstations.
Affected Products
- Siemens Tecnomatix Plant Simulation V2302 — all versions prior to V2302.0021
- Siemens Tecnomatix Plant Simulation V2404 — all versions prior to V2404.0010
- Engineering workstations running vulnerable Tecnomatix Plant Simulation installations
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-03-11 - CVE-2025-25267 published to NVD
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-25267
Vulnerability Analysis
Tecnomatix Plant Simulation allows models to reference and interact with files during execution. The application fails to enforce a proper boundary on which files a simulation model may open or read. This falls under CWE-552, where files or directories become accessible to parties that should not have access.
Because the application processes the model without validating file path scope, a malicious .spp model file can request files outside the intended working directory. The impact is limited to confidentiality; integrity and availability of the host are not directly affected per the vendor advisory.
The attack requires local access. A victim engineer typically must open an attacker-supplied model on a workstation with a vulnerable Plant Simulation build. No authentication or user interaction with elevated privileges is required beyond opening the model.
Root Cause
The root cause is missing or insufficient path scope enforcement on file operations initiated by the simulation model. The application trusts model-controlled file references without confining them to a permitted directory or verifying that resolved paths remain inside the model's sandbox.
Attack Vector
An attacker crafts a Plant Simulation model that references files outside the model directory, such as configuration files, credential stores, or engineering documents on the workstation. When a user opens or runs the model, the simulation engine resolves those references and returns file contents to structures the attacker controls. Delivery typically occurs through email, shared engineering repositories, or supply-chain distribution of models. No verified public proof-of-concept exploit is currently listed in NVD or Exploit-DB.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-25267
Indicators of Compromise
- Plant Simulation processes reading files outside their designated project or model directory trees
- Simulation model files (.spp) sourced from untrusted email attachments, external drives, or unvetted repositories
- Unexpected file read activity from PlantSimulation.exe targeting user profile directories, credential stores, or system configuration files
Detection Strategies
- Inventory installed Tecnomatix Plant Simulation versions and flag any V2302 build below V2302.0021 or V2404 build below V2404.0010
- Deploy endpoint file-access telemetry on engineering workstations to observe reads by Plant Simulation processes outside project directories
- Alert on model files opened from download folders, temporary paths, or removable media
Monitoring Recommendations
- Correlate Plant Simulation process activity with sensitive file access events (SSH keys, browser credential databases, engineering IP)
- Monitor for outbound data transfers following simulation runs of externally sourced models
- Track distribution channels for .spp files across engineering shares and enforce provenance checks
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-25267
Immediate Actions Required
- Upgrade Tecnomatix Plant Simulation V2302 installations to V2302.0021 or later
- Upgrade Tecnomatix Plant Simulation V2404 installations to V2404.0010 or later
- Restrict engineering workstations to only open simulation models from trusted, internally vetted sources
- Review the Siemens Security Advisory SSA-507653 for full vendor guidance
Patch Information
Siemens has released fixed versions V2302.0021 and V2404.0010 that resolve the file scope restriction issue. Customers should obtain the updates through Siemens Industry Online Support and validate installation on all engineering workstations running Tecnomatix Plant Simulation.
Workarounds
- Do not open Plant Simulation model files (.spp) received from untrusted sources or unknown senders
- Isolate Plant Simulation workstations from sensitive data stores until patches are applied
- Apply the operational guidelines from Siemens' industrial security recommendations to reduce local attack surface
- Enforce least-privilege user accounts on engineering workstations to limit files accessible to a running simulation process
# Example: verify installed Tecnomatix Plant Simulation version on Windows
reg query "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Siemens\Tecnomatix\Plant Simulation" /s | findstr /I "Version"
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
