CVE-2023-49600 in libigl
Summary
by MITRE • 05/28/2024
An out-of-bounds write vulnerability exists in the PlyFile ply_cast_ascii functionality of libigl v2.5.0. A specially crafted .ply file can lead to a heap buffer overflow. An attacker can provide a malicious file to trigger this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/12/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-49600 represents a critical out-of-bounds write flaw within the libigl library version 2.5.0, specifically affecting the PlyFile ply_cast_ascii functionality. This issue manifests as a heap buffer overflow when processing specially crafted .ply files, which are commonly used for storing 3D geometric data in computer graphics applications. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and boundary checking within the parsing logic that handles ASCII-encoded PLY files, creating a scenario where arbitrary data can be written beyond the allocated memory boundaries.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the ply_cast_ascii function processes malformed PLY files that contain unexpected data structures or malformed vertex counts. The flaw arises from the library's failure to properly validate the size of data arrays before attempting to write to memory locations, allowing attackers to craft input files that cause memory corruption. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-787, which specifically addresses out-of-bounds write conditions, and represents a classic example of memory safety issues that can lead to arbitrary code execution. The heap buffer overflow creates unpredictable memory corruption that can be exploited to manipulate program execution flow or cause denial of service conditions.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-49600 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as it presents significant security risks to applications that rely on libigl for 3D data processing. Systems utilizing this library for file import operations, particularly those that accept user-provided .ply files, become vulnerable to remote code execution attacks. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability through various attack vectors including web applications, desktop software, or automated processing pipelines that handle 3D model imports. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers exploitation of software vulnerabilities for code execution, and represents a common attack surface in computer graphics and 3D modeling applications.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of the libigl library to version 2.5.1 or later, which includes proper bounds checking and input validation for the PlyFile functionality. Organizations should implement strict input validation measures for all user-provided PLY files, including size limits and format verification before processing. Additionally, deploying memory protection mechanisms such as address space layout randomization and stack canaries can help mitigate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper memory management in graphics libraries and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of input parsing functions. System administrators should monitor for any applications using affected versions of libigl and ensure timely updates to prevent exploitation. The remediation approach should also include implementing sandboxing techniques for file processing and establishing robust error handling to prevent cascading failures when malformed input is encountered.