CVE-2025-21169 in Substance3D
Summary
by MITRE • 03/11/2025
Substance3D - Designer versions 14.1 and earlier are affected by a Heap-based Buffer Overflow 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 • 04/29/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-21169 affects Substance3D Designer versions 14.1 and earlier, representing a critical heap-based buffer overflow flaw that poses significant security risks to users of this 3D content creation software. This vulnerability resides within the file parsing functionality of the application, specifically when processing specially crafted malicious files that trigger memory corruption during normal operation. The flaw manifests as an improper bounds check during buffer allocation, allowing attackers to write data beyond the allocated memory space and potentially overwrite adjacent memory locations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and memory management practices within the software's file handling routines. When a user opens a maliciously crafted file, the application fails to properly validate the file structure and size constraints, leading to a buffer overflow condition that can be exploited to execute arbitrary code. The heap-based nature of the vulnerability indicates that the overflow occurs in dynamically allocated memory regions, making exploitation more complex but potentially more reliable than stack-based alternatives. This type of vulnerability is categorized under CWE-121 heap-based buffer overflow, which directly maps to the attack surface described in the CVE.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with the ability to operate within the security context of the currently logged-in user. This means that successful exploitation could result in complete system compromise, data theft, or further lateral movement within a network environment. The requirement for user interaction creates a specific attack vector that aligns with social engineering tactics, where attackers must convince victims to open malicious files through various delivery mechanisms such as email attachments, compromised websites, or removable media. The vulnerability's classification places it within the ATT&CK framework under technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as exploitation would likely involve executing malicious code within the application's process space.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2025-21169 should prioritize immediate software updates from the vendor to address the root cause of the buffer overflow. Organizations should implement strict file validation policies, particularly for files originating from untrusted sources or external collaborators. Network-based defenses can include sandboxing mechanisms and file content inspection systems that analyze file structures before allowing them to be processed by Substance3D Designer. Security awareness training for users should emphasize the dangers of opening untrusted files, particularly those received through email or downloaded from unknown sources. Additionally, system hardening measures such as address space layout randomization and data execution prevention can provide additional layers of protection against exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of regular software patch management and continuous security monitoring to prevent exploitation of similar memory corruption flaws in other applications.