CVE-2025-40764 Overview
CVE-2025-40764 is an out-of-bounds read vulnerability in Siemens Simcenter Femap, a finite element modeling and post-processing application used in mechanical engineering workflows. The flaw resides in the routine that parses BMP image files. A specially crafted BMP file can cause the application to read memory outside the allocated buffer, enabling code execution within the context of the current Femap process.
The vulnerability is tracked under [CWE-125] (Out-of-bounds Read) and affects Simcenter Femap V2406 prior to V2406.0003 and V2412 prior to V2412.0002. Exploitation requires user interaction, typically opening or importing a malicious BMP file.
Critical Impact
An attacker who convinces a Femap user to open a crafted BMP file can execute arbitrary code in the context of the running application, compromising engineering data and the host workstation.
Affected Products
- Siemens Simcenter Femap V2406 (all versions before V2406.0003)
- Siemens Simcenter Femap V2412 (all versions before V2412.0002)
- Engineering workstations running vulnerable Simcenter Femap installations
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-08-12 - CVE-2025-40764 published to the National Vulnerability Database
- 2026-06-17 - Entry last modified in the NVD
Technical Details for CVE-2025-40764
Vulnerability Analysis
The defect lies in Simcenter Femap's BMP file parser. When the application processes a BMP file, the parser reads structural fields from the file header and pixel array sections. Insufficient validation of length and offset fields allows the parser to read past the bounds of the allocated buffer.
The out-of-bounds read can leak adjacent memory contents and, depending on memory layout, corrupt program state used in subsequent operations. An attacker who controls the BMP layout can influence the data returned by the read, steering execution toward attacker-supplied instructions. This results in code execution under the privileges of the user running Femap.
Exploitation requires the victim to open the malicious BMP through Femap, for example by importing it as a texture or background image. The attack vector is local because the file must reach the host, but delivery typically occurs through email, shared engineering archives, or project repositories.
Root Cause
The parser trusts size and offset values inside the BMP header without verifying them against the actual buffer length. When these values exceed the allocated region, the application dereferences memory it does not own, producing an out-of-bounds read condition catalogued as [CWE-125].
Attack Vector
An attacker delivers a crafted BMP file to a Femap user. The user opens the file inside the application, triggering the vulnerable parsing path. Successful exploitation yields code execution as the Femap user, often a privileged engineering account with access to proprietary models and intellectual property. See the Siemens Security Advisory SSA-674084 for vendor-confirmed technical scope.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-40764
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected child processes spawned by femap.exe shortly after a BMP file is opened or imported
- Crash dumps or Windows Error Reporting events naming Simcenter Femap and citing access violations during image parsing
- BMP files with malformed biSize, biWidth, biHeight, or pixel offset fields delivered through email or shared project folders
Detection Strategies
- Hunt for process creation events where femap.exe is the parent of shells, scripting engines, or LOLBins such as cmd.exe, powershell.exe, or rundll32.exe
- Inspect file write events from Femap targeting startup, autorun, or scheduled task locations
- Correlate Femap crash telemetry with recent BMP file opens to surface failed exploitation attempts
Monitoring Recommendations
- Forward endpoint process, file, and crash telemetry to a centralized analytics platform for retroactive hunting
- Alert on Femap process behavior that deviates from normal CAD and FEM workflows, particularly outbound network connections
- Track inventory of Simcenter Femap installations and flag any host running versions below V2406.0003 or V2412.0002
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-40764
Immediate Actions Required
- Upgrade Simcenter Femap V2406 installations to V2406.0003 or later
- Upgrade Simcenter Femap V2412 installations to V2412.0002 or later
- Restrict opening of BMP files from untrusted sources until patching completes
- Run Femap under standard user accounts to limit the blast radius of successful exploitation
Patch Information
Siemens has released fixed builds that address the BMP parser flaw. Download the corrected versions from the Siemens Industry Online Support portal and follow the upgrade guidance in Siemens Security Advisory SSA-674084. Validate the installed build number after upgrade to confirm remediation.
Workarounds
- Open BMP files and Femap project archives only from trusted, authenticated sources
- Apply application allowlisting to prevent unexpected child processes from spawning under femap.exe
- Segment engineering workstations from general-purpose networks to reduce exposure to phishing-delivered payloads
- Educate engineering users on the risk of opening unsolicited image and model files
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
