CVE-2020-6345 in 3D Visual Enterprise Viewer
Summary
by MITRE
SAP 3D Visual Enterprise Viewer, version - 9, allows a user to open manipulated TGA 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-2020-6345 that stems from improper input validation when processing TGA image files. This vulnerability exists within the application's file parsing mechanism where it fails to adequately validate the structure and content of TGA files received from untrusted sources. The flaw represents a classic example of insufficient input sanitization that can be exploited through malicious file manipulation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the viewer application attempts to parse TGA files without proper bounds checking or format validation. When a specially crafted TGA file is processed, the application's parsing logic encounters unexpected data structures that cause memory corruption or invalid memory access patterns. This leads to an application crash that results in temporary unavailability of the viewer service. The vulnerability specifically manifests during the file loading phase where the application attempts to interpret the TGA file header and pixel data without sufficient validation of the file's integrity.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates a denial of service condition that can disrupt business operations involving 3D visualization tasks. The temporary unavailability of the application until manual user restart means that users engaged in 3D modeling, product visualization, or enterprise collaboration activities may experience interruptions that affect productivity and workflow continuity. In enterprise environments where multiple users rely on the viewer for critical business processes, this vulnerability could lead to cascading operational impacts across departments utilizing 3D visualization capabilities.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, Improper Input Validation, which is a fundamental security weakness that occurs when applications fail to properly validate or sanitize input data. This weakness is particularly dangerous in file processing applications where untrusted input can be manipulated to cause unexpected behavior. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a denial of service attack vector through application instability, where adversaries can leverage input validation flaws to make systems unavailable to legitimate users. The vulnerability demonstrates how simple input validation deficiencies can create significant operational risks without requiring complex exploitation techniques.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing robust input validation mechanisms that verify TGA file structures before processing. Organizations should deploy immediate patches provided by SAP to address the validation gaps in the viewer application. Additionally, network segmentation and file access controls should be implemented to limit exposure to untrusted file sources. Regular security assessments of file processing components and implementation of automated file validation checks can help prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in future versions of the software.