CVE-2024-53425 in Assimp
Summary
by MITRE • 11/21/2024
A heap-buffer-overflow vulnerability was discovered in the SkipSpacesAndLineEnd function in Assimp v5.4.3. This issue occurs when processing certain malformed MD5 model files, leading to an out-of-bounds read and potential application crash.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/18/2025
The heap-buffer-overflow vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-53425 resides within the Assimp library version 5.4.3, specifically within the SkipSpacesAndLineEnd function that handles processing of MD5 model files. This vulnerability represents a critical security flaw that demonstrates poor memory management practices during file parsing operations. The issue manifests when the library encounters malformed MD5 model files that contain unexpected data structures or malformed content, causing the parsing routine to access memory locations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries. This particular vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 heap-based buffer overflow category, which is classified as a serious memory safety issue that can lead to arbitrary code execution or application instability.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient bounds checking within the SkipSpacesAndLineEnd function which processes whitespace and line ending characters in MD5 model files. When parsing these files, the function attempts to read data from memory locations without proper validation of buffer limits, particularly when encountering malformed input data. The MD5 file format specification defines specific structures for storing animation data, but when these structures contain unexpected or corrupted data, the parsing logic fails to properly validate memory access patterns. This flaw allows attackers to craft specially malformed MD5 model files that trigger the out-of-bounds read condition, potentially leading to application crashes or more severe exploitation scenarios.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-53425 extends beyond simple application instability, as it creates potential attack vectors for remote code execution or denial-of-service conditions within applications that utilize the Assimp library for 3D model processing. Systems that import or process MD5 model files from untrusted sources become vulnerable to this heap-buffer-overflow condition, particularly in gaming engines, 3D modeling applications, or any software that relies on Assimp for file format parsing. The vulnerability's exploitation potential aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which involves the use of malformed input to trigger memory corruption vulnerabilities in software libraries. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where third-party content is frequently processed, such as game modding communities or content distribution platforms.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of the Assimp library to version 5.4.4 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the buffer overflow condition. Organizations should implement input validation measures that sanitize MD5 model files before processing, particularly in scenarios where untrusted content is involved. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of robust memory safety practices and proper bounds checking in parsing routines, aligning with security best practices outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST Cybersecurity Framework. Additionally, implementing runtime protections such as address space layout randomization and stack canaries can provide additional defense-in-depth measures against potential exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments of third-party libraries and dependencies should include thorough review of memory safety issues to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced into production systems.