CVE-2021-27641 in 3D Visual Enterprise Viewer
Summary
by MITRE • 06/09/2021
SAP 3D Visual Enterprise Viewer, version - 9, allows a user to open manipulated TIF 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 • 06/12/2021
SAP 3D Visual Enterprise Viewer version 9 contains a critical vulnerability classified as CVE-2021-27641 that stems from improper input validation mechanisms when processing TIF image files. This vulnerability represents a classic example of insufficient validation of user-supplied data, which falls under the CWE-20 category of "Improper Input Validation" within the Common Weakness Enumeration framework. The flaw specifically manifests when the application receives manipulated TIF files from untrusted sources, creating a scenario where maliciously crafted image data can trigger unintended application behavior.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs at the file parsing layer where the viewer application fails to properly validate the structure and content of TIF files before attempting to render them. When a user opens a specially crafted TIF file, the application's input validation routines are bypassed or insufficiently enforced, allowing malformed data to propagate through the processing pipeline. This leads to memory corruption or unexpected execution paths that ultimately cause the application to crash and become temporarily unavailable. The vulnerability does not appear to enable arbitrary code execution or privilege escalation, but rather focuses on denial of service through application instability.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant disruption in enterprise environments where SAP 3D Visual Enterprise Viewer is deployed for product visualization, technical documentation, or collaborative design review processes. The temporary unavailability of the application forces users to manually restart the viewer, potentially interrupting ongoing workflows and productivity. In mission-critical manufacturing or engineering environments, this disruption could lead to delays in design reviews, product validation processes, or collaborative work sessions. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in environments where users may receive TIF files from external partners, suppliers, or untrusted sources, as the attack surface expands beyond internal controls.
The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the technique T1203 - "Exploitation for Client Execution" and potentially T1499 - "Endpoint Denial of Service" as the primary impact is application instability and temporary unavailability. Organizations should consider implementing network segmentation controls to limit exposure to potentially malicious file transfers and establish strict file validation policies for all incoming content. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation in preventing both denial of service attacks and potential escalation to more serious security incidents. Mitigation strategies should include immediate patching of affected systems, implementation of file type whitelisting, and enhanced monitoring for unusual application behavior or crash patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts.