CVE-2017-12101 in 3d Creation Suite
Summary
by MITRE
An exploitable integer overflow exists in the 'modifier_mdef_compact_influences' functionality 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 a .blend file in order to trigger this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/07/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-12101 represents a critical integer overflow flaw within the Blender 3D creation suite version 2.78c, specifically within the modifier_mdef_compact_influences functionality. This issue resides in the software's handling of .blend files, which are the native file format used by Blender for storing 3D scenes, objects, and animation data. The flaw occurs when the application processes certain modifier settings that control mesh deformation influences, creating a scenario where integer arithmetic can exceed the maximum representable value for the data type being used.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the manipulation of integer variables that control the size of memory allocations within the mesh deformation processing pipeline. When a maliciously crafted .blend file contains specially constructed modifier parameters, the integer overflow causes the application to allocate insufficient memory for the buffer that will store the deformation influence data. This misallocation results in a classic buffer overflow condition where subsequent memory writes exceed the allocated buffer boundaries, potentially overwriting adjacent memory locations including function return addresses, stack canaries, or other critical program state information.
From an operational security perspective, this vulnerability creates a significant attack surface for remote code execution exploits. The attack vector requires social engineering to convince a user to open a malicious .blend file, making it a client-side vulnerability that leverages user trust. The exploitation process would typically involve crafting a .blend file with carefully calculated modifier settings that trigger the integer overflow during normal application operation when the file is loaded. The code execution would occur within the context of the Blender application process, potentially allowing attackers to execute arbitrary commands with the same privileges as the user running Blender.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-190, Integer Overflow or Wraparound, which specifically addresses situations where integer arithmetic produces results that exceed the maximum value that can be represented by the data type. This flaw also maps to ATT&CK technique T1203, Exploitation for Client Execution, as it enables attackers to execute code on victim systems through the manipulation of application files. The impact extends beyond simple code execution to potential privilege escalation scenarios if the user running Blender has elevated system privileges, and the vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and integer overflow protection in multimedia and 3D graphics applications.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-12101 primarily involve immediate software updates to patched versions of Blender, as the vulnerability was addressed in subsequent releases. Users should implement strict file validation policies, particularly for .blend files received from untrusted sources, and consider implementing sandboxing or virtualization techniques when processing potentially malicious files. Network administrators should consider blocking .blend file attachments in email systems and implementing application whitelisting policies to prevent execution of untrusted 3D modeling files. Additionally, regular security awareness training should emphasize the risks of opening unknown or untrusted 3D files, and organizations should maintain current antivirus signatures that can detect malicious .blend files containing known exploit patterns. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of robust memory management and input validation in creative software applications that process complex binary data formats.