CVE-2022-41198 in 3D Visual Enterprise Viewer
Summary
by MITRE • 10/12/2022
Due to lack of proper memory management, when a victim opens a manipulated SketchUp (.skp, SketchUp.x3d) file received from untrusted sources in SAP 3D Visual Enterprise Viewer - version 9, it is possible that a Remote Code Execution can be triggered when payload forces a stack-based overflow or a re-use of dangling pointer which refers to overwritten space in memory.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/25/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-41198 represents a critical memory safety issue within SAP 3D Visual Enterprise Viewer version 9, specifically affecting the handling of SketchUp files with extensions .skp and .x3d. This flaw stems from inadequate memory management practices that fail to properly validate or sanitize input data during file parsing operations. When a user opens a maliciously crafted file from untrusted sources, the application's memory handling mechanisms become vulnerable to exploitation through buffer overflow conditions or dangling pointer reuse attacks.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through stack-based buffer overflow conditions or the reuse of dangling pointers that reference previously allocated memory space that has been overwritten. This memory corruption scenario creates opportunities for adversaries to execute arbitrary code within the context of the application's privileges. The flaw specifically manifests when processing malformed SketchUp files that contain crafted data structures designed to trigger memory management failures during the parsing process. These conditions allow attackers to manipulate the application's memory layout and potentially overwrite critical execution pointers or return addresses.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to organizations that rely on SAP 3D Visual Enterprise Viewer for 3D model visualization and collaboration. The remote code execution capability means that attackers can potentially compromise systems simply by tricking users into opening malicious files, making this a particularly dangerous vulnerability in enterprise environments where users may encounter untrusted 3D content from various sources. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires minimal user interaction beyond opening the file, making it susceptible to social engineering campaigns or automated exploitation through malicious email attachments or web downloads.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow and CWE-416 Use After Free categories, both of which are fundamental memory safety issues that have been extensively documented in cybersecurity literature and are commonly exploited in advanced persistent threat campaigns. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1203 Exploitation for Client Execution and T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter, as the successful exploitation would enable adversaries to execute arbitrary commands on the target system. Organizations should consider implementing network segmentation and email filtering solutions to prevent initial access through malicious file attachments, while also ensuring that users are trained to avoid opening files from untrusted sources.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-41198 should include immediate application of SAP security patches and updates, as well as implementation of strict file validation policies that prevent automatic opening of potentially malicious files. Organizations should also consider deploying application whitelisting solutions that restrict the execution of unauthorized file types and implement network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts. Additionally, regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar memory management vulnerabilities in other applications that process 3D modeling files or similar binary formats. The vulnerability underscores the importance of robust memory management practices in commercial software applications and highlights the need for continuous security testing throughout the software development lifecycle to prevent such critical flaws from reaching production environments.