CVE-2024-53000: Adobe Substance 3D Modeler RCE Flaw

CVE-2024-53000 Overview

CVE-2024-53000 is an out-of-bounds write vulnerability [CWE-787] in Adobe Substance 3D Modeler. Versions 1.14.1 and earlier are affected. An attacker can achieve arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user by crafting a malicious project file. Exploitation requires user interaction: the victim must open the malicious file in Substance 3D Modeler.

Adobe assigned a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.8 and addressed the issue in security bulletin APSB24-102. The current EPSS probability is approximately 0.403%, placing the vulnerability in the 33.6th percentile for likelihood of exploitation.

Critical Impact
Successful exploitation results in arbitrary code execution under the privileges of the user running Substance 3D Modeler, enabling initial access, persistence, or lateral movement from a design workstation.

Affected Products

Adobe Substance 3D Modeler 1.14.1 and earlier (Windows)
Adobe Substance 3D Modeler 1.14.1 and earlier (macOS)
CPE: cpe:2.3:a:adobe:substance_3d_modeler:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

Discovery Timeline

2024-12-10 - CVE-2024-53000 published to NVD
2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-53000

Vulnerability Analysis

CVE-2024-53000 is classified under [CWE-787], out-of-bounds write. The flaw allows a write operation to reach memory outside the bounds of an allocated buffer while Substance 3D Modeler parses a crafted file. Depending on which adjacent structures are corrupted, an attacker can influence control flow and execute arbitrary code within the user's session.

The attack vector is local and requires user interaction. A victim must open a malicious asset, project, or scene file. No elevated privileges are needed on the target, and no prior authentication to the application is required. Substance 3D Modeler is used by 3D artists and product designers, so social engineering through shared assets, marketplace downloads, or supply-chain compromise of asset libraries are practical delivery paths.

Root Cause

Out-of-bounds writes typically originate from missing or incorrect bounds validation on attacker-controlled length fields, index calculations, or loop counters during deserialization of complex binary formats. Adobe has not published the specific parser or structure involved. The vendor advisory APSB24-102 confirms the corruption occurs during file processing.

Attack Vector

An attacker crafts a malicious Substance 3D Modeler file and delivers it via email attachment, download link, compromised asset marketplace, or shared project repository. When the victim opens the file, the malformed structure triggers the out-of-bounds write. The attacker's payload then executes with the user's privileges, enabling credential theft, ransomware staging, or persistence on the workstation.

No public proof-of-concept exploit is available at the time of writing, and the vulnerability is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog. See the Adobe Security Advisory APSB24-102 for vendor details.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-53000

Indicators of Compromise

Unexpected child processes spawned by Adobe Substance 3D Modeler.exe, particularly shells (cmd.exe, powershell.exe) or scripting hosts (wscript.exe, mshta.exe).
Substance 3D Modeler process crashes with access violation exceptions correlated with recently opened project files from external sources.
Substance 3D Modeler writing executable content (.exe, .dll, .js, .hta) to user-writable paths such as %APPDATA% or %TEMP%.
Outbound network connections initiated by the Substance 3D Modeler process to non-Adobe infrastructure.

Detection Strategies

Baseline the legitimate child-process tree of Substance 3D Modeler and alert on deviations, focusing on interpreter and LOLBin execution.
Monitor endpoint file-write telemetry for Substance 3D Modeler creating persistence artifacts under Run keys, Startup folders, or scheduled tasks.
Correlate Substance 3D Modeler application crashes with subsequent suspicious process or network activity on the same host.

Monitoring Recommendations

Inventory endpoints running Substance 3D Modeler and track installed versions against 1.14.2 or later as the fixed baseline.
Log opens of .sbs, .sbsar, and native Modeler project files sourced from email, browsers, or removable media.
Forward EDR process and file telemetry to a central data lake to enable retroactive hunting once new indicators surface.

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-53000

Immediate Actions Required

Update Adobe Substance 3D Modeler to the version listed as fixed in APSB24-102 on every affected Windows and macOS workstation.
Restrict opening of Substance 3D Modeler project files received from untrusted sources, third-party marketplaces, or unsolicited email.
Verify no version 1.14.1 or earlier remains deployed by querying software inventory across the design and creative user population.

Patch Information

Adobe released a patched build addressing CVE-2024-53000 in security bulletin APSB24-102. Apply the update through the Adobe Creative Cloud desktop application or by downloading the current installer from Adobe. Confirm the installed version is greater than 1.14.1 after patching.

Workarounds

Where patching is delayed, block execution of Substance 3D Modeler via application control until the update is deployed.
Run Substance 3D Modeler under standard user accounts, never local administrators, to limit the impact of code execution.
Handle untrusted 3D assets on isolated or virtualized workstations without access to sensitive network segments.

bash

# Windows: verify installed Substance 3D Modeler version
Get-ItemProperty "HKLM:\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\*" | `
  Where-Object { $_.DisplayName -like "*Substance 3D Modeler*" } | `
  Select-Object DisplayName, DisplayVersion, InstallLocation

# macOS: verify installed Substance 3D Modeler version
defaults read "/Applications/Adobe Substance 3D Modeler.app/Contents/Info.plist" CFBundleShortVersionString