CVE-2020-6337 in 3D Visual Enterprise Viewer
Summary
by MITRE
SAP 3D Visual Enterprise Viewer, version - 9, allows a user to open manipulated HDR file received from untrusted sources which results in crashing of the application and becoming temporarily unavailable until the user restarts the application, this is caused due to Improper Input Validation.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/09/2020
SAP 3D Visual Enterprise Viewer version 9 contains a critical vulnerability classified as CVE-2020-6337 that stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms when processing HDR file formats. This vulnerability exists within the application's file parsing functionality where it fails to properly validate the structure and content of HDR files received from external sources. The flaw represents a classic example of improper input validation as defined by CWE-20, where the system does not adequately sanitize or verify the integrity of user-supplied data before processing. When a malicious actor crafts a specially manipulated HDR file and delivers it to an unsuspecting user, the viewer application encounters an unexpected file structure that triggers an unhandled exception within the parsing routine. This vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK technique T1203 - Exploitation for Client Execution, as it leverages file processing to achieve arbitrary code execution or system instability. The impact of this vulnerability manifests as an application crash that completely terminates the viewer process, rendering the software temporarily unusable until the user manually restarts the application. This disruption can occur during critical 3D visualization tasks or collaborative work sessions, potentially causing productivity loss and operational downtime. The vulnerability specifically affects the file format handling component of the SAP 3D Visual Enterprise Viewer, where HDR files are processed for display in three-dimensional visualizations, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users frequently exchange 3D content. Organizations utilizing this software are at risk of experiencing service interruptions and potential denial of service conditions when the vulnerability is exploited, as the application becomes unresponsive until manual intervention occurs. The root cause lies in the absence of proper bounds checking and format validation during HDR file processing, allowing malformed input to propagate through the application stack and trigger a crash condition. This represents a significant security gap in the software's defensive architecture and highlights the importance of implementing robust input validation controls for all file processing operations. The vulnerability demonstrates how seemingly benign file format handling can become a vector for service disruption and requires immediate attention through proper code review and implementation of defensive programming practices. Organizations should consider implementing network-based restrictions or file filtering mechanisms to prevent the execution of untrusted HDR files until a proper patch is applied. The vulnerability also underscores the need for comprehensive security testing of file parsing components and the importance of adhering to secure coding practices that prevent malformed input from causing application instability. This issue directly impacts the availability and reliability of the SAP 3D Visual Enterprise Viewer and requires urgent remediation to prevent potential exploitation in targeted attack scenarios. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple application crash, as it can be leveraged in broader attack campaigns where multiple users are targeted with malicious HDR files to cause widespread disruption across organizational networks. Security teams should monitor for any signs of exploitation attempts and implement appropriate network segmentation to limit the potential impact of such attacks. The flaw exemplifies the critical importance of input validation in preventing application-level vulnerabilities and demonstrates how attackers can exploit seemingly minor implementation gaps to achieve significant operational disruption.