CVE-2022-38447 in Dimension
Summary
by MITRE • 10/15/2022
Adobe Dimension versions 3.4.5 is affected by a Use After Free vulnerability that could result in arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user. Exploitation of this issue requires user interaction in that a victim must open a malicious file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/09/2022
Adobe Dimension version 3.4.5 contains a critical use after free vulnerability that presents significant security risks to users who may inadvertently open maliciously crafted files. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-416 category, which specifically addresses use after free conditions where memory is accessed after it has been freed, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate program execution flow. The flaw exists within the application's handling of certain file formats, particularly those involving complex 3D scene data structures that require memory management during parsing operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows an attacker to craft a specially formatted file that, when opened by a victim using Adobe Dimension 3.4.5, triggers a memory management error. During the file parsing process, the application allocates memory for various scene elements and objects, but fails to properly validate or manage the lifecycle of this memory allocation. When the application processes the malicious file, it attempts to free memory that has already been freed or access memory that has been deallocated, creating a situation where attacker-controlled data can be written to or read from memory locations that were previously occupied by legitimate application data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it enables remote code execution with the privileges of the current user account, effectively allowing attackers to bypass standard security boundaries and execute arbitrary code on the victim's system. This represents a significant escalation from typical file-based attacks, as it provides attackers with a direct path to compromise the entire user environment without requiring additional attack vectors or privilege escalation techniques. The vulnerability requires user interaction to be exploited, meaning that social engineering or phishing campaigns would be necessary to deliver the malicious payload, but once executed, the consequences are immediate and potentially devastating.
The attack surface for this vulnerability is primarily limited to users who have Adobe Dimension 3.4.5 installed and who may open untrusted files from unknown sources. This aligns with the ATT&CK framework's technique T1203, which involves gaining access through exploitation of software vulnerabilities, and T1059, which covers command and script interpretation through various execution methods. Organizations should consider implementing strict file validation policies and user education programs to reduce the likelihood of exploitation. The recommended mitigation includes immediate updating of Adobe Dimension to version 3.4.6 or later, which contains patches addressing the use after free condition in the memory management routines. System administrators should also consider network-based protections such as content filtering and sandboxing mechanisms to prevent users from inadvertently opening malicious files, while also monitoring for unusual file access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts.