CVE-2023-40486 in Cinema 4D
Summary
by MITRE • 05/03/2024
Maxon Cinema 4D SKP File Parsing Stack-based Buffer Overflow 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 the length of user-supplied data prior to copying it to a fixed-length stack-based buffer. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of the current process. Was ZDI-CAN-21434.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/28/2025
The CVE-2023-40486 vulnerability represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw in Maxon Cinema 4D software that specifically affects the parsing of SKP files. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 stack-based buffer overflow category, where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations on the stack. The flaw manifests when the application processes maliciously crafted SKP files without proper validation of input data lengths before copying them into fixed-size stack buffers. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous as it can be exploited remotely through web-based attacks, making it a significant threat to users who may inadvertently encounter malicious SKP files in web environments or email attachments. The vulnerability is classified as a remote code execution flaw that requires user interaction to be exploited, meaning victims must either visit a malicious webpage or open a compromised file to trigger the attack vector.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the SKP file parser component of Cinema 4D. When processing user-supplied data from SKP files, the application fails to properly verify the length of incoming data segments before performing memory copy operations into predetermined stack buffers. This fundamental flaw allows attackers to craft malicious SKP files containing oversized data payloads that exceed the allocated buffer space, causing stack corruption and potentially enabling arbitrary code execution. The attack scenario typically involves an attacker hosting a malicious SKP file on a web server or embedding it in a compromised website where unsuspecting users might browse to or download the file. The vulnerability affects the application's execution context, potentially allowing attackers to execute code with the privileges of the affected user, which could lead to complete system compromise depending on the user's permissions and the application's security model.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risks for users of Maxon Cinema 4D software, particularly those working in creative environments where file sharing and collaboration are common practices. The requirement for user interaction means that social engineering attacks through phishing campaigns or malicious websites could effectively leverage this vulnerability to compromise systems. Organizations using Cinema 4D for professional 3D modeling, animation, and visual effects production face particular exposure since these applications are often used in collaborative workflows where users may open files from untrusted sources. The vulnerability's remote exploitation capability makes it especially dangerous in enterprise environments where users may encounter malicious content through various attack vectors including compromised websites, email attachments, or collaborative platforms. Security teams must consider this vulnerability as part of their broader threat landscape, particularly in environments where creative software is widely deployed and where users may not be security-aware regarding file handling practices.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-40486 should focus on both immediate defensive measures and long-term architectural improvements. The most effective immediate response is to apply vendor patches or updates as soon as they become available, which typically address the underlying buffer overflow by implementing proper input validation and bounds checking. Organizations should also implement defensive measures such as restricting file type execution permissions, deploying web application firewalls to filter malicious content, and establishing user education programs to reduce the risk of social engineering attacks. Network segmentation and access controls can limit the potential impact if an attacker successfully exploits the vulnerability. Security monitoring should include detection of suspicious file access patterns and anomalous behavior related to SKP file processing. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers exploitation of remote services, and T1059, which involves command and scripting interpreter usage, making it a relevant target for endpoint detection and response systems. Regular security assessments of creative software environments and maintaining up-to-date threat intelligence regarding similar vulnerabilities in multimedia applications will help organizations better protect against future exploits of this nature.