CVE-2023-40482 in Cinema 4D
Summary
by MITRE • 05/03/2024
Maxon Cinema 4D SKP File Parsing Out-Of-Bounds Write Remote Code Execution Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected installations of Maxon Cinema 4D. User interaction is required to exploit this vulnerability in that the target must visit a malicious page or open a malicious file.
The specific flaw exists within the parsing of SKP files. The issue results from the lack of proper validation of user-supplied data, which can result in a write past the end of an allocated object. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of the current process. Was ZDI-CAN-21430.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/28/2025
This vulnerability resides within Maxon Cinema 4D's handling of SKP files, which are used for importing and exporting 3D models in the SketchUp format. The flaw represents a critical out-of-bounds write condition that occurs during the parsing process of these files. When a malicious SKP file is processed by the software, the application fails to properly validate the structure and boundaries of the data contained within, leading to memory corruption that can be exploited by remote attackers. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the application attempts to write data beyond the allocated memory space for a parsed object, creating a condition where arbitrary code execution becomes possible. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of memory safety issues and is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through remote exploitation without requiring local system access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation practices that are commonly associated with buffer overflow conditions. According to CWE standards, this represents a CWE-787: Out-of-bounds Write, which occurs when a program writes data past the end of a buffer that has been allocated for a specific amount of data. The attack vector requires user interaction through either visiting a malicious webpage that hosts the crafted SKP file or opening the file directly, making it a remote code execution vulnerability that can be delivered through web-based attacks or file sharing platforms. The exploit leverages the fact that the application does not properly bounds-check the data during parsing, allowing an attacker to control the memory layout and potentially overwrite critical program structures or inject malicious code into the execution context of the Cinema 4D process.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with full control over the affected system running Maxon Cinema 4D. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the user running the application, which typically includes full system access if the user has administrative rights. This vulnerability affects users who regularly work with 3D modeling files and may encounter malicious SKP files through legitimate business channels or through social engineering attacks. The threat landscape for this vulnerability is particularly concerning because 3D modeling professionals often download files from online repositories, forums, or receive files from colleagues, creating numerous potential attack vectors. The ZDI-CAN-21430 identifier indicates this was tracked by the Zero Day Initiative, highlighting its significance in the cybersecurity community and the need for immediate remediation.
Mitigation strategies should focus on both immediate protective measures and long-term architectural improvements. Organizations should implement strict file validation policies that prevent automatic opening of untrusted SKP files and consider deploying sandboxing solutions for any file processing activities. Network-level protections including web application firewalls and content filtering systems can help block malicious SKP files from reaching end users. Additionally, users should be educated about the risks of opening files from untrusted sources and should be trained to recognize potential social engineering attempts. From a defensive perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK techniques related to initial access through malicious files and privilege escalation through code execution. Regular patch management and monitoring for exploitation attempts should be implemented alongside endpoint detection and response solutions that can identify anomalous behavior patterns consistent with memory corruption attacks. The vulnerability also emphasizes the importance of input sanitization and proper bounds checking in software development practices, particularly for applications that process complex file formats from external sources.