CVE-2026-16782 in 3ds Max
Summary
by MITRE • 08/25/2026
A maliciously crafted SVG file, when parsed through Autodesk 3ds Max, can force an Out-of-Bounds Read vulnerability. A malicious actor can leverage this vulnerability to cause a crash, read sensitive data, or execute arbitrary code in the context of the current process.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/25/2026
The vulnerability identified involves a critical flaw within the SVG parsing engine of Autodesk 3ds Max, specifically manifesting as an out-of-bounds read condition when processing maliciously crafted Scalable Vector Graphics files. This type of memory corruption error occurs when the application attempts to access memory locations that lie outside the boundaries of allocated buffers or data structures. In the context of vector graphics rendering engines, such vulnerabilities often arise from improper validation of input parameters related to path coordinates, gradient definitions, or filter effects within the SVG specification. When 3ds Max processes a specially constructed SVG file containing malformed elements or unexpected data lengths, the parser fails to correctly verify array indices or buffer sizes before reading from memory. This lack of rigorous boundary checking allows the application to retrieve sensitive information stored in adjacent memory regions that were not intended for public access by the rendering routine.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe due to its potential for remote code execution and data exfiltration. An attacker can craft a malicious SVG file designed to exploit this specific out-of-bounds read condition, potentially leading to an application crash if the memory accessed contains invalid pointers or protected pages. More critically, by carefully controlling the contents of the adjacent memory regions, an adversary may be able to leak sensitive information such as cryptographic keys, session tokens, or proprietary project data stored in the process memory space. Furthermore, depending on the specific architecture and compiler optimizations employed by Autodesk, this vulnerability could potentially be chained with other techniques to achieve arbitrary code execution within the context of the currently logged-in user. This poses a significant risk to organizations relying on 3ds Max for critical design workflows, as it allows an attacker who can trick a user into opening a malicious file to compromise system integrity and confidentiality without requiring elevated privileges initially.
From a classification perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes Out-of-Bounds Read vulnerabilities where software reads data past the end or before the beginning of the intended buffer. It also relates to CWE-20, Improper Input Validation, as the root cause is the failure to adequately sanitize and validate external SVG input prior to processing. In terms of attack vectors, this scenario maps to MITRE ATT&CK technique T1566.002, specifically Spearphishing Attachment, where an attacker delivers a malicious file via email or other communication channels to induce execution. The exploitation relies on social engineering tactics to persuade the victim to open the crafted SVG file within 3ds Max, leveraging the trust users place in legitimate software applications to bypass security controls that might otherwise block direct executable payloads.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily involve applying vendor-provided patches and updates released by Autodesk to address the parsing logic flaws in the affected versions of 3ds Max. Organizations should enforce strict policies regarding the opening of files from untrusted sources, particularly vector graphics formats like SVG which are often overlooked as potential attack vectors compared to executable binaries or Office documents. Implementing application whitelisting can help restrict the execution of unauthorized software that might attempt to exploit this flaw if patches are not immediately available. Additionally, deploying endpoint detection and response solutions with behavioral analysis capabilities may assist in identifying anomalous memory access patterns associated with exploitation attempts. Users should be educated on the risks of opening files from unknown origins and encouraged to verify the integrity of received assets before processing them within professional design tools. Regular security awareness training focused on social engineering tactics is essential to reduce the likelihood of successful initial compromise through this vector.