CVE-2026-10232 in Assimp
Summary
by MITRE • 06/01/2026
A weakness has been identified in Assimp up to 6.0.4. Affected by this vulnerability is the function aiNode::~aiNode of the file scene.cpp of the component ASE File Parser. Executing a manipulation can lead to use after free. The attack needs to be launched locally. The exploit has been made available to the public and could be used for attacks. The project tagged the reported issue as bug.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/10/2026
The vulnerability in Assimp version 6.0.4 and earlier affects the ASE File Parser component through a critical weakness in the aiNode::~aiNode destructor function located in scene.cpp. This represents a classic use-after-free vulnerability that occurs when memory is accessed after it has been freed, creating potential exploitation opportunities for malicious actors. The flaw specifically manifests during the destruction of aiNode objects, where improper memory management allows for subsequent access to deallocated memory regions.
This vulnerability falls under the CWE-416 category of Use After Free, which is a well-documented and dangerous class of memory safety issues that can lead to arbitrary code execution. The attack vector requires local execution privileges, meaning an attacker must already have access to the system to exploit this weakness. However, the public availability of exploit code significantly increases the risk profile, as it lowers the barrier to exploitation and makes this vulnerability accessible to a broader range of threat actors.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory corruption, as it can potentially allow for privilege escalation or system compromise when combined with other attack techniques. The ASE File Parser component is commonly used for importing 3D model files in various applications, making the attack surface broader than initially apparent. When an application using Assimp processes a malicious ASE file, the use-after-free condition can be triggered during normal file processing operations, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, as exploitation may involve executing arbitrary code through memory corruption. The local attack requirement means this vulnerability is particularly concerning for environments where untrusted file processing occurs, such as content management systems, 3D modeling applications, or any software that accepts ASE file imports. Organizations should consider this vulnerability as part of their broader memory safety assessment and prioritize immediate patching of affected systems.
The remediation strategy should focus on implementing proper memory management practices within the Assimp library, specifically ensuring that all references to aiNode objects are properly invalidated upon destruction. This involves updating the destructor implementation to prevent any subsequent access to freed memory regions. Additionally, input validation and sanitization of ASE files should be strengthened to prevent malicious inputs from triggering the vulnerability. Organizations should also consider implementing runtime protections such as address space layout randomization and stack canaries to mitigate potential exploitation attempts, while maintaining regular security updates to address similar memory safety issues that may exist in other components of their software stack.