CVE-2024-20750 in Substance 3D Designer
Summary
by MITRE • 02/15/2024
Substance3D - Designer versions 13.1.0 and earlier are affected by an out-of-bounds read vulnerability when parsing a crafted file, which could result in a read past the end of an allocated memory structure. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of the current user. Exploitation of this issue requires user interaction in that a victim must open a malicious file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/19/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-20750 affects Substance3D Designer versions 13.1.0 and earlier, representing a critical out-of-bounds read flaw that can potentially lead to remote code execution. This vulnerability resides within the file parsing functionality of the software, specifically when processing crafted malicious files that trigger memory access violations. The flaw manifests as an improper bounds checking mechanism during the parsing of structured data, allowing an attacker to manipulate memory access patterns that extend beyond allocated buffer boundaries. Such out-of-bounds read conditions are particularly dangerous because they can expose sensitive memory contents, cause application crashes, or more critically, enable attackers to craft payloads that exploit the memory corruption to execute arbitrary code.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions where a program reads data past the end of a buffer or memory structure. The vulnerability operates through a classic memory safety issue where the parser fails to validate the size or structure of incoming data before attempting to access memory locations. When a malicious file is processed, the application's parsing logic does not adequately verify array indices or data structure boundaries, leading to memory access violations. This type of vulnerability is particularly insidious because it can be triggered through legitimate file processing operations, making it difficult to detect through conventional security monitoring approaches. The attack vector requires user interaction, meaning victims must open the malicious file, which typically occurs through social engineering or phishing campaigns targeting users who regularly work with 3D design software.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple application instability, as it creates a potential pathway for full system compromise. When successfully exploited, the out-of-bounds read can be leveraged to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the currently logged-in user, potentially enabling attackers to install malware, steal credentials, or establish persistence within the victim's environment. The vulnerability affects users who work with 3D design workflows and file sharing environments where malicious files might be encountered through legitimate business processes or compromised third-party content. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting specially designed files that, when opened by a victim using affected versions of Substance3D Designer, trigger the memory access violation and subsequently execute malicious payloads. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in professional environments where design files are frequently shared between team members or downloaded from external sources.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-20750 primarily focus on immediate software updates and user education. Organizations should prioritize updating to the latest version of Substance3D Designer that contains patches for this vulnerability, as vendors typically address such issues through memory bounds checking improvements and input validation enhancements. Additionally, implementing strict file validation procedures can help reduce exposure, including scanning all incoming design files for suspicious content or using sandboxed environments for file processing. Network-level defenses such as intrusion detection systems can monitor for patterns associated with exploitation attempts, though the user interaction requirement limits automated exploitation possibilities. Security teams should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of unauthorized software, and conduct regular security awareness training to educate users about the risks of opening untrusted design files. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK technique T1203 (Exploitation for Client Execution) highlights the importance of defending against user interaction-based attacks through comprehensive endpoint protection strategies that monitor file execution behaviors and prevent unauthorized code execution.