CVE-2020-28590 in libslic3r
Summary
by MITRE • 04/13/2021
An out-of-bounds read vulnerability exists in the Obj File TriangleMesh::TriangleMesh() functionality of Slic3r libslic3r 1.3.0 and Master Commit 92abbc42. A specially crafted obj file could lead to information disclosure. An attacker can provide a malicious file to trigger this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/30/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-28590 represents a critical out-of-bounds read flaw within the Slic3r 3D printing software library. This issue specifically affects the TriangleMesh::TriangleMesh() function in the libslic3r component, impacting versions 1.3.0 and the Master Commit 92abbc42. The flaw manifests when processing specially crafted .obj files that contain malformed triangle mesh data, creating a scenario where the application attempts to access memory locations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries. Such out-of-bounds memory access patterns typically occur when the software fails to properly validate the structure and size of incoming mesh data, particularly in triangle connectivity information and vertex coordinates. The vulnerability falls under CWE-125, which specifically addresses out-of-bounds read conditions in software implementations. This weakness enables attackers to construct malicious .obj files that, when processed by Slic3r, cause the application to read memory contents that should not be accessible, potentially exposing sensitive data from the application's memory space.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates potential attack vectors for more sophisticated exploitation techniques. When an attacker successfully triggers this out-of-bounds read, they can potentially extract memory contents including stack data, heap information, or other sensitive application state details that may contain authentication tokens, configuration parameters, or other confidential information. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in 3D printing environments where software often processes files from untrusted sources, making it a prime target for supply chain attacks or malicious file delivery scenarios. The attack surface is amplified by the widespread use of Slic3r across various 3D printing workflows and the typical lack of input sanitization for mesh files in such applications. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for executing malicious code through file processing and T1566 for initial access via malicious files, demonstrating how seemingly benign file formats can become attack vectors in software processing pipelines.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-28590 require immediate attention from system administrators and software maintainers. The primary solution involves updating to the latest stable version of Slic3r where the out-of-bounds read has been patched through proper input validation and buffer boundary checks. Organizations should implement strict file validation protocols that include signature verification and content analysis before processing any .obj files in 3D printing workflows. Additionally, deploying memory protection mechanisms such as address space layout randomization and stack canaries can help mitigate potential exploitation attempts. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of 3D printing systems to untrusted file sources. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual memory access patterns and file processing activities that could indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of input validation in all file processing components and demonstrates how seemingly simple parsing operations can become critical security weaknesses when proper bounds checking is omitted. Organizations should also consider implementing sandboxed environments for file processing and regular security audits of 3D printing software stacks to identify similar vulnerabilities in related components.