CVE-2017-12099 in 3d Creation Suite
Summary
by MITRE
An exploitable integer overflow exists in the upgrade of the legacy Mesh attribute 'tface' of the Blender open-source 3d creation suite v2.78c. A specially crafted .blend file can cause an integer overflow resulting in a buffer overflow which can allow for code execution under the context of the application. An attacker can convince a user to open the file or use it as a library in order to trigger this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/07/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-12099 represents a critical security flaw in the Blender 3D creation suite version 2.78c, specifically within the handling of legacy mesh attributes during file processing. This integer overflow vulnerability occurs during the upgrade process of the legacy Mesh attribute 'tface' which is part of Blender's internal file format structure. The flaw exists in the application's ability to properly validate and handle integer values when processing .blend files, creating a pathway for malicious code execution through buffer overflow conditions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within Blender's file parser when encountering legacy mesh data structures. When processing a specially crafted .blend file containing malformed tface attribute data, the application performs integer arithmetic operations that can result in integer overflow conditions. This overflow subsequently leads to improper memory allocation calculations, causing buffer overflows that can be exploited by attackers to execute arbitrary code within the application's security context. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the file parsing level, meaning any user who opens or imports the malicious file will be susceptible to exploitation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it allows attackers to gain full control over the victim's system through the Blender application. Since Blender is commonly used for 3D modeling, animation, and visual effects creation, users often open files from various sources including collaborative projects, third-party assets, or even maliciously crafted content. The attack vector requires social engineering to convince users to open the malicious file, but once executed, the exploit can lead to complete system compromise. The vulnerability affects both the application's file opening functionality and its library importing capabilities, making it particularly insidious as users may unknowingly trigger the exploit while working with legitimate projects that contain malicious components.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patch application, as the issue was resolved in subsequent Blender versions through proper integer overflow checking and enhanced input validation. Users should implement strict file validation procedures, particularly when dealing with third-party .blend files or collaborative projects. Organizations should consider implementing sandboxing mechanisms for file processing and restrict user access to potentially malicious file types. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-190, which specifically addresses integer overflow conditions, and represents a classic example of how legacy code handling can create security vulnerabilities. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter execution, as successful exploitation would enable attackers to execute arbitrary code within the application context. The flaw demonstrates the importance of proper input validation in file format parsers and the necessity of robust integer overflow protection mechanisms in security-critical applications.