CVE-2023-50191 in SketchUp Viewer
Summary
by MITRE • 05/03/2024
Trimble SketchUp Viewer SKP File Parsing Use-After-Free 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 validating the existence of an object prior to performing operations on the object. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of the current process. Was ZDI-CAN-21785.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/08/2025
The CVE-2023-50191 vulnerability represents a critical use-after-free flaw in Trimble SketchUp Viewer's SKP file parsing mechanism, classified under CWE-416 as improper cleanup of memory resources. This vulnerability operates at the intersection of software security and file format parsing, where the viewer fails to properly validate object existence before executing operations on them. The flaw specifically manifests during the processing of SketchUp's native SKP files, which are commonly used for 3D modeling and architectural visualization. The vulnerability's remote code execution potential stems from the fact that malicious SKP files can be delivered through web pages or direct file attachments, requiring only user interaction to trigger exploitation. The attack vector leverages the viewer's insufficient input validation during file parsing, creating a scenario where freed memory locations are accessed after being reallocated, leading to arbitrary code execution in the viewer's security context.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a classic use-after-free pattern that aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter execution. When a user opens a malicious SKP file, the viewer's parser encounters malformed or specially crafted data structures that cause memory management errors. The vulnerability occurs because the application does not properly validate whether objects referenced in the SKP file still exist in memory before performing operations on them. This allows an attacker to manipulate the memory layout such that when the application attempts to access freed memory, it can be redirected to execute attacker-controlled code. The exploitation process typically involves crafting an SKP file with malicious object references that trigger the use-after-free condition during parsing, followed by heap spraying or other memory manipulation techniques to achieve code execution. The vulnerability affects all versions of Trimble SketchUp Viewer that process SKP files without proper validation mechanisms.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-50191 extends beyond simple remote code execution, as it provides attackers with persistent access to target systems through the viewer application. This vulnerability enables attackers to establish backdoors, escalate privileges, or deploy additional malware payloads within the security context of the viewer process. The requirement for user interaction makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous in targeted attacks where social engineering can be employed to convince users to open malicious files. Organizations using Trimble SketchUp Viewer for design work, architectural visualization, or 3D modeling are at risk, particularly in environments where users may encounter untrusted SKP files through email attachments, web downloads, or shared network drives. The vulnerability's impact is compounded by the widespread use of SketchUp in professional design environments where users frequently exchange files with external partners or clients, increasing the attack surface for potential exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-50191 should focus on both immediate defensive measures and long-term architectural improvements. Organizations should prioritize updating to patched versions of Trimble SketchUp Viewer as soon as they become available, while implementing network-level controls to restrict access to potentially malicious SKP files. File validation and sandboxing techniques can help reduce the impact of exploitation attempts, though these measures are less effective against sophisticated attacks. Security teams should monitor for indicators of compromise related to SketchUp Viewer usage and implement user education programs to reduce the risk of successful social engineering attacks. The vulnerability's classification as a use-after-free error highlights the importance of memory safety practices in file parsing applications, and organizations should consider implementing automated code review processes that specifically target memory management issues. Additionally, network segmentation and application whitelisting policies can provide additional layers of defense against exploitation attempts, while regular security assessments should include testing for similar vulnerabilities in other file format parsers within the organization's software ecosystem.