CVE-2024-41864 in Substance3D Designer
Summary
by MITRE • 08/14/2024
Substance3D - Designer versions 13.1.2 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.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/15/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-41864 affects Substance3D Designer software versions 13.1.2 and earlier, representing a critical out-of-bounds write flaw that can be exploited to achieve arbitrary code execution. This vulnerability exists within the file parsing functionality of the application and specifically targets the handling of malformed input files. The flaw manifests when the software attempts to write data beyond the allocated memory boundaries while processing specially crafted files, creating a condition that allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations with malicious content.
The technical nature of this vulnerability places it within the CWE-787 category of out-of-bounds write conditions, which is classified as a memory safety issue in the Common Weakness Enumeration framework. The exploit requires user interaction through social engineering or phishing techniques to deliver a malicious file to an unsuspecting victim who must then open it within the vulnerable application. This user interaction requirement aligns with the ATT&CK technique T1204.002 for "User Execution: Malicious File" and represents a common attack vector that leverages human factors to bypass technical security controls. The out-of-bounds write occurs during the file processing phase where the application fails to properly validate input boundaries before writing data to memory.
From an operational impact perspective, successful exploitation of CVE-2024-41864 could enable attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the currently logged-in user. This presents a significant risk for enterprise environments where Substance3D Designer is widely deployed for creative workflows and 3D asset creation. The vulnerability affects users who regularly handle third-party assets or collaborate with external partners who might unknowingly provide compromised files. Attackers could potentially use this vulnerability to establish persistent access, escalate privileges, or deploy additional malware within the victim's environment. The impact extends beyond individual user compromise to potential lateral movement within networks where creative assets are shared across multiple systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-41864 should prioritize immediate software updates to versions that address the out-of-bounds write vulnerability, as provided by the vendor. Organizations should implement strict file validation policies and consider deploying sandboxing mechanisms for handling untrusted creative assets. Network-based detection measures such as intrusion detection systems should monitor for suspicious file access patterns and potential exploitation attempts. Security awareness training programs should emphasize the dangers of opening untrusted files from unknown sources, particularly in creative workflows where collaboration and asset sharing are common. Additionally, privileged access controls should be enforced to limit the potential damage from successful exploitation, and regular security assessments should be conducted to identify other vulnerable applications within the organization's software ecosystem.