CVE-2020-6359 in 3D Visual Enterprise Viewer
Summary
by MITRE
SAP 3D Visual Enterprise Viewer, version - 9, allows a user to open manipulated PLT 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 that stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms when processing PLT files. This flaw represents a classic example of improper input validation where the application fails to properly sanitize or validate file content before processing. The vulnerability specifically affects the handling of PLT (Plot) files which are commonly used for vector graphics and technical drawings within engineering and manufacturing environments. When a malicious actor crafts a specially manipulated PLT file and delivers it to an unsuspecting user, the viewer application becomes vulnerable to a controlled crash scenario that renders the application temporarily unusable until manual restart is performed by the user.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a failure in the application's defensive programming practices and input sanitization protocols. According to CWE classification, this represents a CWE-20: Improper Input Validation, which is a fundamental weakness in software design that allows malicious inputs to bypass validation checks and cause unexpected behavior. The vulnerability operates at the file parsing level where the application does not adequately validate the structure, format, or content of incoming PLT files before attempting to render or process them. This creates a pathway for attackers to craft malicious files that exploit memory handling or parsing routines within the viewer application, leading to denial of service conditions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple application instability and presents significant risks to productivity within enterprise environments that rely on 3D visualization tools. Organizations using SAP 3D Visual Enterprise Viewer may experience unexpected downtime when users encounter corrupted or malicious files, particularly in collaborative environments where file sharing occurs across different departments or with external partners. The vulnerability can be exploited through social engineering tactics where attackers deliver malicious PLT files via email attachments, shared network drives, or file transfer protocols. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1203: Exploitation for Client Execution, where adversaries leverage application vulnerabilities to cause system instability and potentially gain further access to compromised systems.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation mechanisms within the application's file processing pipeline. Organizations should deploy strict file format validation procedures that verify file headers, structure integrity, and content boundaries before any processing occurs. Network-based security controls such as email filtering, web application firewalls, and file inspection tools should be configured to scan and block suspicious PLT files from entering the enterprise environment. Additionally, regular security updates and patches from SAP should be applied promptly to address this known vulnerability. User education programs should emphasize the importance of only opening files from trusted sources and reporting suspicious file deliveries. The implementation of sandboxing techniques for file processing and network segmentation can further reduce the impact of successful exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing automated monitoring systems that can detect and alert on unusual application crash patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts.