CVE-2021-27591 in 3D Visual Enterprise Viewer
Summary
by MITRE • 03/10/2021
When a user opens manipulated Portable Document Format (.PDF) format files received from untrusted sources in SAP 3D Visual Enterprise Viewer version 9, the application crashes and becomes temporarily unavailable to the user until restart of the application.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/29/2021
CVE-2021-27591 represents a denial of service vulnerability affecting SAP 3D Visual Enterprise Viewer version 9, where maliciously crafted portable document format files can trigger application instability. This vulnerability resides in the PDF parsing functionality of the viewer application, specifically when processing malformed or specially constructed PDF documents from untrusted sources. The flaw manifests as a crash condition that renders the application temporarily non-functional until manual restart is performed by the user. From a cybersecurity perspective, this represents a significant concern as it can be exploited through social engineering tactics where users might inadvertently open malicious PDF attachments. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-119, which encompasses weaknesses in memory handling and buffer overflows that can lead to application instability and denial of service conditions. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that PDF files are commonly used in business environments and can be easily distributed through email, file sharing systems, or malicious websites. When an attacker crafts a PDF file designed to exploit this vulnerability, the application's failure mode results in complete service disruption for the affected user, potentially impacting productivity and business operations. The operational impact extends beyond simple application unavailability as it can be leveraged as part of larger attack campaigns where initial access might be achieved through other means, but this vulnerability serves as a reliable method to maintain persistence or cause operational disruption.
The technical nature of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic buffer overflow or memory corruption issue within the PDF processing library used by SAP 3D Visual Enterprise Viewer. When the application attempts to parse malformed PDF structures, it fails to properly validate input data or handle edge cases during document rendering. This processing failure leads to an unhandled exception that terminates the application process. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires no elevated privileges or specialized knowledge to exploit, making it accessible to threat actors with basic social engineering skills. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to the T1203 - Exploitation for Client Execution tactic, where adversaries leverage application vulnerabilities to execute malicious code or cause service disruption. The attack chain typically involves delivering a malicious PDF file through phishing campaigns or compromised websites, where users open the file with the vulnerable SAP application. The vulnerability's exploitation is straightforward and does not require complex payload delivery mechanisms, which increases its potential for widespread impact. This makes it particularly attractive for threat actors seeking to disrupt business operations or gain a foothold in target environments where SAP 3D Visual Enterprise Viewer is commonly used.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2021-27591 should focus on both immediate protective measures and long-term architectural improvements. Organizations should prioritize applying the vendor-provided patches and updates as soon as they become available to address the root cause of the vulnerability. Network-level defenses should include implementing email filtering rules to block suspicious PDF attachments and monitoring for unusual PDF file activity within the network. User education programs should emphasize the importance of verifying file sources and avoiding opening PDF attachments from unknown or untrusted senders. From a defensive standpoint, implementing application whitelisting policies can prevent unauthorized versions of SAP 3D Visual Enterprise Viewer from executing, while also providing additional layers of protection. The vulnerability also highlights the need for comprehensive vulnerability management programs that include regular security assessments of business-critical applications. Organizations should consider deploying intrusion detection systems that can identify anomalous behavior patterns associated with PDF processing activities. Additionally, maintaining detailed incident response procedures that account for denial of service scenarios involving business-critical applications ensures that organizations can respond quickly to exploitation attempts. The remediation process should include thorough testing of patches in controlled environments before widespread deployment to prevent potential compatibility issues. Regular security awareness training should also cover the risks associated with opening files from untrusted sources, as this vulnerability primarily exploits human factors rather than purely technical weaknesses.