CVE-2023-21618 in Substance 3D Designer
Summary
by MITRE • 06/15/2023
Adobe Substance 3D Designer version 12.4.1 (and earlier) is affected by an Access of Uninitialized Pointer 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 • 09/22/2025
Adobe Substance 3D Designer version 12.4.1 and earlier versions contain a critical access of uninitialized pointer vulnerability that represents a significant security risk for users of this 3D design software. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-476 category of NULL Pointer Dereference, where the application attempts to access memory through an uninitialized pointer, potentially leading to unpredictable behavior and exploitation. The flaw exists within the software's file processing mechanism, specifically when handling malformed or malicious input files that are part of the Substance 3D Designer's workflow for creating and editing 3D materials and textures.
The technical execution of this vulnerability requires a specific user interaction pattern where an attacker must convince a victim to open a specially crafted malicious file within the Substance 3D Designer application. This makes the attack vector more difficult to exploit at scale compared to fully automated vulnerabilities, but still represents a significant risk in environments where users may encounter untrusted files through email attachments, file sharing platforms, or compromised software distribution channels. The attack leverages the fact that when the application processes the malicious file, it attempts to dereference a pointer that has not been properly initialized, leading to memory corruption that can be exploited to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the currently logged-in user.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it fundamentally compromises the integrity of the user's system and potentially the entire design workflow. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to install malware, steal sensitive design assets, or use the compromised system as a launch point for further attacks within a network. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of the software, which is widely used by graphic designers, 3D artists, and content creators in professional environments, making it particularly concerning for organizations that rely on Substance 3D Designer for their creative processes and intellectual property protection.
Security professionals should implement immediate mitigations including keeping the software updated to version 12.4.2 or later, which contains the necessary patches for this vulnerability. Organizations should also consider implementing strict file validation policies and user education programs to prevent opening suspicious files, particularly those received through untrusted sources. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 - Exploitation for Client Execution, where adversaries exploit software vulnerabilities to execute malicious code on targeted systems. Additionally, organizations should consider network segmentation and endpoint protection solutions that can detect and block suspicious file processing activities, as well as implement application whitelisting policies to prevent unauthorized software execution in environments where Substance 3D Designer is used.