CVE-2023-48639 in Substance 3D Designer
Summary
by MITRE • 12/13/2023
Adobe Substance 3D Designer versions 13.0.0 (and earlier) and 13.1.0 (and earlier) are affected by an out-of-bounds write 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.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/06/2024
Adobe Substance 3D Designer versions 13.0.0 and earlier, as well as 13.1.0 and earlier, contain a critical out-of-bounds write vulnerability that presents significant security risks to users. This vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-787, which specifically addresses out-of-bounds write conditions that can lead to arbitrary code execution. The flaw occurs within the application's handling of specially crafted files that are processed during the normal operation of the software. When a user opens a maliciously constructed file, the application fails to properly validate input boundaries, allowing an attacker to write data beyond the allocated memory buffer.
The exploitation of this vulnerability requires user interaction, making it a targeted attack vector that relies on social engineering or delivery of malicious files through phishing campaigns, compromised software distribution channels, or other means of convincing users to open tainted files. This user interaction requirement aligns with ATT&CK technique T1204.002, which covers user execution through malicious file delivery. The vulnerability's impact is particularly severe because it allows for arbitrary code execution in the context of the currently logged-in user, meaning that successful exploitation could result in complete system compromise if the user has administrative privileges.
The technical nature of this out-of-bounds write vulnerability creates a pathway for attackers to manipulate memory structures within the Substance 3D Designer application. When processing malformed input files, the software does not properly enforce buffer size limitations, allowing attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations. This memory corruption can be leveraged to redirect program execution flow, inject malicious code, or manipulate application state in ways that compromise system integrity. The vulnerability's presence in both major version releases indicates a fundamental flaw in the input validation mechanisms of the software's file processing components.
Organizations and individuals using Adobe Substance 3D Designer should immediately implement mitigations to protect against potential exploitation of this vulnerability. The primary mitigation strategy involves updating to the latest available version of the software where Adobe has patched the out-of-bounds write condition. Additionally, implementing strict file validation procedures, restricting user privileges, and employing security awareness training to prevent users from opening untrusted files can significantly reduce the attack surface. Network-based protections such as intrusion detection systems can also help identify attempts to deliver malicious files to systems running this vulnerable software, while endpoint protection solutions should be configured to monitor for suspicious file execution patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts.