CVE-2022-32237 in 3D Visual Enterprise Viewer
Summary
by MITRE • 06/15/2022
When a user opens manipulated Computer Graphics Metafile (.cgm, CgmCore.dll) files received from untrusted sources in SAP 3D Visual Enterprise Viewer, the application crashes and becomes temporarily unavailable to the user until restart of the application.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/15/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-32237 represents a critical denial of service condition within SAP 3D Visual Enterprise Viewer, specifically when processing malformed Computer Graphics Metafile format files. This issue stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the CgmCore.dll component responsible for handling CGM file parsing operations. The flaw manifests when users encounter specially crafted CGM files originating from untrusted sources, which trigger unexpected application behavior leading to complete system unavailability. The root cause lies in the application's failure to properly sanitize and validate file headers and structural elements during the parsing process, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by malicious actors to disrupt normal operational procedures.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability operates as a buffer overflow or memory corruption issue within the CGM file processing pipeline, where the CgmCore.dll module fails to implement proper bounds checking when interpreting file structures. The flaw can be categorized under CWE-125, which addresses out-of-bounds read conditions, and potentially CWE-787, concerning out-of-bounds write operations. The attack surface extends to any user interaction with the SAP 3D Visual Enterprise Viewer application when opening or previewing CGM files, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where multiple users may encounter these malicious files through email attachments, file sharing platforms, or malicious websites. The vulnerability does not appear to enable arbitrary code execution but rather creates a persistent denial of service condition that requires application restart to resolve.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-32237 significantly affects enterprise productivity and business continuity, particularly in manufacturing, engineering, and design environments where SAP 3D Visual Enterprise Viewer serves as a critical tool for product visualization and collaboration. When exploited, the vulnerability can lead to temporary application downtime, forcing users to restart the application and potentially lose unsaved work or progress. This disruption can cascade through workflow processes, especially in environments where real-time collaboration and immediate access to 3D models are essential. The vulnerability also represents a potential vector for social engineering attacks where attackers may distribute malicious CGM files disguised as legitimate product documentation or design files, exploiting user trust to gain unauthorized system access or cause operational disruption.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patch deployment from SAP, as the primary remediation involves updating the CgmCore.dll component with proper input validation and bounds checking mechanisms. Organizations should implement network-based restrictions to prevent download and execution of CGM files from untrusted sources, utilizing content filtering solutions and email security appliances to scan for potentially malicious file types. Additionally, user education programs should emphasize the dangers of opening files from unknown sources, particularly in environments where the application is widely used. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1204.002, which involves user execution through social engineering, and T1499.004, focusing on endpoint denial of service. Implementing principle of least privilege access controls and regular security assessments can further reduce the attack surface and mitigate potential exploitation of this vulnerability in enterprise environments.