CVE-2023-50187 in SketchUp Viewer
Summary
by MITRE • 05/03/2024
Trimble SketchUp Viewer SKP File Parsing Memory Corruption Remote Code Execution Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected installations of Trimble SketchUp Viewer. 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 memory corruption condition. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of the current process. Was ZDI-CAN-20789.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/08/2025
The CVE-2023-50187 vulnerability represents a critical memory corruption flaw in Trimble SketchUp Viewer's handling of SKP (SketchUp) files, exposing users to remote code execution risks. This vulnerability resides in the file parsing mechanism that processes SketchUp document formats, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to compromise systems through malicious file delivery. The flaw specifically manifests during the parsing of SKP files, where insufficient input validation leads to memory corruption conditions that can be exploited to gain arbitrary code execution capabilities. The vulnerability requires user interaction to be successfully exploited, meaning victims must either visit a malicious web page or open a crafted SKP file, making it a typical vector for social engineering attacks targeting design professionals and architects who regularly use SketchUp software.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions that occur when insufficient bounds checking is performed on user-supplied data. The parsing logic within Trimble SketchUp Viewer fails to properly validate the structure and content of SKP files, allowing attackers to craft malicious files that trigger memory corruption when processed. This memory corruption typically manifests as stack or heap overflows, which can be leveraged to overwrite critical memory locations including return addresses or function pointers. The vulnerability exists in the application's file format parser, where unvalidated user input flows directly into memory operations without proper sanitization or bounds checking, creating an exploitable condition that can be triggered through normal file processing operations. The flaw essentially allows attackers to inject malicious data structures that cause the application to behave unpredictably and execute arbitrary code within the context of the SketchUp Viewer process.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution, as it can enable attackers to establish persistent access to compromised systems. When successfully exploited, the vulnerability allows attackers to execute code with the privileges of the SketchUp Viewer process, which typically runs with the same permissions as the user who opened the malicious file. This can lead to full system compromise, especially when users have administrative privileges or when the application is used in enterprise environments where sensitive design data and intellectual property are stored. The vulnerability's remote exploitation capability means attackers can deliver malicious SKP files through various vectors including email attachments, web downloads, or compromised websites, making it particularly dangerous for organizations that frequently exchange design files. Additionally, the lack of automated exploitation mechanisms means that attackers must rely on social engineering tactics to convince victims to open malicious files, but this does not diminish the severity of the vulnerability.
Organizations should implement multiple layers of defense to protect against exploitation of CVE-2023-50187, starting with immediate patching of affected versions of Trimble SketchUp Viewer. System administrators should also deploy network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious file transfers or web traffic patterns that might indicate attempts to deliver malicious SKP files. User education programs should emphasize the importance of verifying file sources and avoiding suspicious email attachments or downloads from untrusted websites. Security teams should consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of SketchUp Viewer to trusted environments and require additional verification steps for processing files from unknown sources. The vulnerability's classification as a remote code execution flaw means that organizations should also review their incident response procedures to ensure rapid detection and containment of potential exploitation attempts. Implementation of the ATT&CK framework's T1203 (Exploitation for Client Execution) and T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) techniques can help security teams better understand and defend against exploitation patterns associated with this type of vulnerability. Organizations should also conduct regular security assessments to identify other applications with similar parsing vulnerabilities that may require similar remediation efforts.