CVE-2026-16783 in 3ds Max
Summary
by MITRE • 08/25/2026
A maliciously crafted ABC file, when parsed through Autodesk 3ds Max, can force an Out-of-Bounds Write vulnerability. A malicious actor may leverage this vulnerability to cause a crash, cause data corruption, or execute arbitrary code in the context of the current process.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/25/2026
The identified vulnerability represents a critical security flaw within Autodesk 3ds Max, specifically triggered by the parsing logic for ABC (Alembic) file formats. Alembic is an open-source standard widely adopted in the visual effects and animation industries to store large amounts of time-varying geometric data efficiently. The core technical issue lies in how the application handles memory allocation and bounds checking during the ingestion of these files. When a maliciously crafted ABC file is processed, the parser fails to correctly validate the size or structure of specific data segments against the allocated buffer boundaries. This oversight results in an Out-of-Bounds Write condition, where the software attempts to write data beyond the limits of the intended memory region. Such errors typically occur due to insufficient validation of input parameters derived from the file header or internal metadata structures, allowing a crafted payload to overwrite adjacent memory locations that may contain control flow data, function pointers, or other critical application state information.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted. In its least destructive form, the out-of-bounds write can corrupt the heap structure or stack integrity, leading to immediate application crashes and denial of service for users attempting to open compromised project files. However, the primary concern lies in the potential for arbitrary code execution. By carefully crafting the malicious ABC file, an attacker can manipulate memory contents to redirect program execution flow. This allows for the injection and subsequent execution of shellcode or other malicious payloads within the security context of the current user process. Since 3ds Max is often used on workstations with elevated privileges or connected to networked rendering farms, successful exploitation could lead to full system compromise, data theft, or lateral movement within a corporate network environment.
From a classification perspective, this vulnerability aligns closely with CWE-787: Out-of-Bounds Write, which describes writing data past the end of an allocated buffer. It also relates to CWE-20: Improper Input Validation, as the root cause is the failure to adequately sanitize and verify external input before processing. In terms of offensive security frameworks, this exploit vector maps to MITRE ATT&CK technique T1203: Exploitation for Client Execution, where attackers leverage vulnerabilities in client-side applications like 3D modeling software to gain initial access or persistence on a target system. The attack scenario typically involves social engineering tactics such as phishing emails containing malicious attachments or compromised shared project repositories that distribute the tainted ABC files to unsuspecting artists and engineers.
Mitigation strategies must address both immediate remediation and long-term defensive posture. Autodesk should prioritize releasing a security patch that enforces strict bounds checking during the parsing of Alembic file structures, ensuring that all memory writes remain within allocated limits regardless of input content. Users are advised to apply vendor-provided updates immediately upon availability. In the interim, organizations can implement network-level controls such as deep packet inspection or sandboxing solutions to analyze incoming files before they reach critical workstations. Additionally, enforcing least-privilege principles for user accounts running 3ds Max can limit the impact of a successful exploit by restricting access to sensitive system resources and data stores. Security awareness training should also be conducted to educate staff on recognizing suspicious file sources and avoiding the opening of unverified assets from external collaborators or unknown repositories.