CVE-2024-53977
Siemens Modelsim ≤ 2025.1
Raw vector
CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:P/PR:L/UI:P/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:XCVSS and EPSS are reproduced from their sources (NVD, FIRST EPSS). Risk Priority is our own derived reading, not an NVD score.
Summary
CVE-2024-53977 is a medium-severity Uncontrolled Search Path Element (CWE-427) vulnerability in Siemens Modelsim. Its CVSS base score is 5.4 (Medium).
Operationally, exploitation aligns with the MITRE ATT&CK technique Path Interception (T1034); ranked at the 5th percentile by exploit likelihood (below the median); it is not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog.
The strongest mitigations our analysis identified map to CM-6 (Configuration Settings) and AC-3 (Access Enforcement) — see the control section below for these in your framework.
Deeper analysis AI-assisted summary
Synthesised by an AI model from the NVD description and linked references — a reading aid, not an authoritative source.
CVE-2024-53977 is a vulnerability affecting ModelSim (all versions prior to V2025.1) and Questa (all versions prior to V2025.1), stemming from an example setup script that loads a specific executable file from the current working directory. This flaw, classified under CWE-427 (Untrusted Search Path), enables potential code injection due to the script's reliance on the working directory for executable resolution. The vulnerability carries a CVSS v3.1 base score of 6.7 (AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H), indicating medium severity with high impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
An authenticated local attacker with low privileges can exploit this issue by placing a malicious executable in a user-writable directory. Exploitation requires high attack complexity and user interaction, specifically when an administrator or elevated-privilege process launches the setup script from that directory. Successful exploitation allows arbitrary code injection, leading to privilege escalation on the affected system.
Siemens has published advisory SSA-637914 detailing the issue, available at https://cert-portal.siemens.com/productcert/html/ssa-637914.html, which security practitioners should consult for mitigation guidance and patch information.
OWASP Top 10 for Web (2025)
EU & UK References
- 🇪🇺 ENISA EUVD: EUVD-2024-52224
Vulnerability Data
A vulnerability has been identified in ModelSim (All versions < V2025.1), Questa (All versions < V2025.1). An example setup script contained in affected applications allows a specific executable file to be loaded from the current working directory. This could allow…
more
an authenticated local attacker to inject arbitrary code and escalate privileges in installations where administrators or processes with elevated privileges launch the script from a user-writable directory.
- CWE(s)
Related Threats
MITRE ATT&CK Enterprise Techniques
CVEs Like This One
Affected Assets
Mitigating Controls
Control response
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- 2 hardening rules · 1 OS baseline
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Mitigating Controls (NIST 800-53 r5) AI
Establishes restrictive configuration settings that can define and lock down approved search paths.
Enforces approved authorizations so that only intended actors can place or modify elements in the search path.
Limits privileges so unintended actors cannot write to or control directories in the product's search path.
Restricts logical and physical access to change system configuration, including search-path settings and directories.
Mitigating Controls (NIST CSF 2.0) AI
Derived directly from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry via our AI-authored CWE→CSF cross-walk (authority under review) — links open the control.
Secure-development practices directly address design of search paths and resource loading.
Hardened configuration baselines can enforce safe search-path settings and reduce exposure.
Execution allow-listing can block malicious binaries placed in hijackable search locations.
Mitigating Controls (ISO/IEC 27001:2022 Annex A) AI
Derived directly from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry via our AI-authored CWE→ISO cross-walk (authority under review) — links open the control.
Security testing can detect uncontrolled search-path issues but does not prevent them by itself.
Restricting software installation reduces the chance that an attacker-controlled path element is introduced into the search path.
Secure system architecture and engineering principles require explicit control over search paths and resource locations.
Secure coding practices directly address the use of fixed or controlled search paths that can be influenced by unintended actors.
Configuration management can enforce approved search-path settings but does not inherently prevent the weakness.
Hardening callouts derived
Configuration rules from DISA STIG baselines that bear on weaknesses of the type cited by this CVE. Each rule is shown with the relationship its mapping actually records, against the CWE it was authored against. Derived via CVE→CWE over `controls_xwalks` (authoritative rows only; rows rated `none` are excluded).
Oracle Linux 8 (1 rule)
- V-248577 OL 8 must enable kernel parameters to enforce Discretionary Access Control (DAC) on symlinks. prevents CWE-427