CVE-2023-26416 - Heap-based Buffer Overflow in Adobe Substance 3D Designer v12.4. Allows for Arbitrary Code Execution

A heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability, CVE-2023-26416, is present in Adobe Substance 3D Designer version 12.4. (and earlier). If exploited, this vulnerability could result in the execution of arbitrary code under the context of the current user. To successfully exploit this vulnerability, an attacker would require user interaction, i.e., the victim must open a malicious file crafted by the attacker. This article will discuss the details of the vulnerability, how it can be exploited, and provide mitigation recommendations.

Vulnerability Details

CVE ID: CVE-2023-26416
CVSS v3. Base Score: 8.8 (High)
Affected Software: Adobe Substance 3D Designer version 12.4. and earlier
Vulnerability Type: Heap-based Buffer Overflow
Impact: Arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user
Attack Vector: Victim must open a malicious file

Exploit

The heap-based buffer overflow occurs when Adobe Substance 3D Designer fails to properly validate the size of the user-supplied input in a specific file format. An attacker can exploit this vulnerability by creating a specially crafted malicious file that contains manipulated input data designed to trigger the buffer overflow. When this malicious file is opened in Adobe Substance 3D Designer, the manipulated input data will cause a buffer overflow, which can lead to the execution of arbitrary code in the context of the current user.

Here is a simplified example of a code snippet that demonstrates the vulnerability

// Simplified pseudocode for illustrative purposes
void processFileData(byte[] fileData) {
    int inputSize = readInt32(fileData, ); // read input size from file
    byte[] buffer = new byte[1024]; // create a fixed-size buffer

    if(inputSize > 1024) {
        // Error: input size is larger than buffer, but this is not checked
    }

    memcpy(buffer, fileData + 4, inputSize); // copy input data to buffer without validating size

    // ... continue processing data ...
}

In this example, the input size is read from the malicious file and copied to a fixed-size buffer without proper validation. This leads to a buffer overflow if the input size is larger than the size of the buffer. An attacker can carefully craft their input data in the malicious file to control the buffer overflow and execute arbitrary code.

For detailed information on this vulnerability, please refer to the following resources

1. Adobe Security Bulletin for Adobe Substance 3D Designer (APSB22-XX): https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/substance-3d-designer/apsb22-xx.html
2. NIST National Vulnerability Database (NVD) - CVE-2023-26416: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-26416
3. MITRE CVE Entry - CVE-2023-26416: https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2023-26416

Mitigation and Recommendations

To protect yourself from this vulnerability, it is recommended that users of Adobe Substance 3D Designer update their software to the latest version, as patches addressing this vulnerability should have been released by Adobe.

Adobe may provide specific instructions and procedures to apply the update. It is crucial to follow these steps to ensure that the software is updated correctly and the vulnerability is mitigated.

As a general precaution, users should always be cautious when handling files from untrusted sources. Avoid opening files from unknown senders, and use reputable antivirus software to scan any attachments before opening them.

Conclusion

This article has discussed the details of the heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability, CVE-2023-26416, affecting Adobe Substance 3D Designer version 12.4. and earlier. If exploited, the vulnerability allows for arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user, requiring user interaction through opening a malicious file. It is essential to update your Adobe Substance 3D Designer software to the latest version and exercise caution when handling untrusted files to protect against this vulnerability.

Timeline

Published on: 04/13/2023 20:15:00 UTC