CVE-2024-45138 Overview
CVE-2024-45138 is a Use After Free vulnerability [CWE-416] affecting Adobe Substance 3D Stager versions 3.0.3 and earlier. The flaw allows arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user when a victim opens a crafted file. Adobe published security advisory APSB24-81 addressing the issue across Windows and macOS installations.
The vulnerability requires local file interaction and user engagement, but successful exploitation grants full compromise of the user session. Adobe rates the issue with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.8.
Critical Impact
Attackers can execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the logged-in user by luring victims to open a malicious Substance 3D Stager project file.
Affected Products
- Adobe Substance 3D Stager 3.0.3 and earlier
- Microsoft Windows installations of Substance 3D Stager
- Apple macOS installations of Substance 3D Stager
Discovery Timeline
- 2024-10-09 - CVE-2024-45138 published to NVD
- 2024-10-09 - Adobe releases security bulletin APSB24-81
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2024-45138
Vulnerability Analysis
CVE-2024-45138 is a Use After Free condition in Adobe Substance 3D Stager. The application references memory after it has been released, allowing an attacker to influence the contents of that freed region before the dangling pointer is dereferenced. When Stager parses attacker-controlled file structures, the mismatched object lifetime enables corruption of program state.
Exploitation converts the memory safety error into arbitrary code execution within the current user context. The attacker can hijack control flow by grooming the heap so that the freed object is replaced with a crafted structure containing controlled function pointers or vtables. Because Stager runs interactively, code executes with the same privileges as the user editing the file.
The vulnerability is local and requires user interaction, so it fits attack chains that begin with phishing or malicious asset delivery via 3D artist communities and marketplaces.
Root Cause
The root cause is improper object lifetime management during file parsing. Stager releases an internal object but retains a reference that is later dereferenced. Adobe did not publish source-level details, but the CWE-416 classification and the local file-open attack path indicate the flaw resides in deserialization or scene-graph handling logic.
Attack Vector
The attacker crafts a malicious Substance 3D Stager project or asset file and delivers it through email, chat, or a compromised asset repository. When the victim opens the file, Stager triggers the Use After Free during processing. The attacker's shellcode then executes with the victim's privileges, enabling persistence, credential theft, or lateral movement.
No verified proof-of-concept exploit is publicly available, and the vulnerability is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog. See the Adobe Security Advisory APSB24-81 for vendor guidance.
Detection Methods for CVE-2024-45138
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected child processes spawned by Adobe Substance 3D Stager.exe or the macOS equivalent binary, especially command interpreters such as cmd.exe, powershell.exe, or /bin/sh.
- Substance 3D Stager project files (.sbs, .sbsar, .stager) arriving from untrusted sources or external email attachments.
- Crash dumps or Windows Error Reporting entries citing access violations inside Stager modules during file open operations.
Detection Strategies
- Monitor endpoint telemetry for process-lineage anomalies where Substance 3D Stager launches scripting hosts, network utilities, or LOLBins.
- Alert on writes to autorun locations, scheduled tasks, or user Startup folders originating from the Stager process tree.
- Correlate file-open events for 3D asset formats with subsequent outbound network connections to previously unseen destinations.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Inventory workstations running Adobe Substance 3D Stager and track installed versions against 3.0.4 or later.
- Ingest Adobe application logs and endpoint process telemetry into a centralized SIEM for retroactive hunting across creative-team endpoints.
- Track email and collaboration platforms for inbound Substance 3D file types from external senders.
How to Mitigate CVE-2024-45138
Immediate Actions Required
- Upgrade Adobe Substance 3D Stager to the version identified in APSB24-81 (later than 3.0.3) on all Windows and macOS endpoints.
- Instruct users, particularly 3D artists and design teams, not to open Substance 3D files from untrusted or unverified sources.
- Verify patch deployment through software inventory reports and confirm the running binary version on each endpoint.
Patch Information
Adobe addressed CVE-2024-45138 in the update described in Adobe Security Advisory APSB24-81. Administrators should deploy the fixed release through the Adobe Creative Cloud desktop application or enterprise deployment tools. Confirm the installed version reports higher than 3.0.3 after update.
Workarounds
- Restrict opening of Substance 3D project files to a segregated workstation profile until patching is complete.
- Apply application allow-listing to prevent Stager from spawning interpreters or unsigned child processes.
- Block or quarantine Substance 3D file extensions at email gateways when senders are outside the organization.
# Verify installed Substance 3D Stager version on Windows via PowerShell
Get-ItemProperty "HKLM:\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\*" |
Where-Object { $_.DisplayName -like "*Substance 3D Stager*" } |
Select-Object DisplayName, DisplayVersion
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
