CVE-2024-53002 Overview
CVE-2024-53002 is an out-of-bounds write vulnerability in Adobe Substance3D Modeler versions 1.14.1 and earlier. The flaw resides in the file parsing logic of the 3D modeling application. An attacker can trigger arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user by delivering a crafted project file. Exploitation requires user interaction: the victim must open the malicious file. The issue is tracked under CWE-787: Out-of-bounds Write and was disclosed in Adobe Security Bulletin APSB24-102.
Critical Impact
Successful exploitation grants arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the logged-in user, enabling malware installation, credential theft, or lateral movement from a designer's workstation.
Affected Products
- Adobe Substance3D Modeler 1.14.1 and earlier (Windows)
- Adobe Substance3D Modeler 1.14.1 and earlier (macOS)
- All builds distributed through Adobe Creative Cloud prior to the December 2024 update
Discovery Timeline
- 2024-12-10 - CVE-2024-53002 published to NVD alongside Adobe Security Bulletin APSB24-102
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in the NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2024-53002
Vulnerability Analysis
Substance3D Modeler parses proprietary and third-party 3D asset formats when a user opens a project. The parsing routine writes attacker-controlled data past the bounds of an allocated buffer. Because the write occurs in the process heap or on the stack, an attacker can corrupt adjacent memory structures, including function pointers or object vtables. Controlled corruption of these structures redirects execution into attacker-supplied shellcode or a return-oriented programming (ROP) chain.
The attack vector is local and requires user interaction. An attacker cannot exploit the flaw remotely without social engineering. Typical delivery methods include phishing emails carrying weaponized .sbs, .sbsar, or related asset files, or malicious files hosted on 3D asset marketplaces.
Root Cause
The vulnerability stems from missing or incorrect bounds validation during deserialization of file structures. The parser trusts size or offset fields inside the input file and uses them directly to write geometry, texture, or metadata into a fixed-size buffer. This class of defect maps to CWE-787.
Attack Vector
An attacker crafts a malicious 3D asset file with malformed size or index fields. The attacker distributes the file through email, chat, or a compromised asset repository. When the victim opens the file in Substance3D Modeler, the parser triggers the out-of-bounds write, corrupting memory and enabling arbitrary code execution under the victim's user account. No verified public proof-of-concept exists for CVE-2024-53002 at the time of writing. See Adobe Security Bulletin APSB24-102 for vendor-confirmed technical scope.
Detection Methods for CVE-2024-53002
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected child processes spawned by Adobe Substance 3D Modeler.exe, particularly cmd.exe, powershell.exe, or rundll32.exe.
- Crashes of the Modeler process logged in Windows Event Log or macOS unified logs immediately after opening a downloaded 3D asset.
- Substance3D Modeler making outbound network connections to non-Adobe domains shortly after file open.
- Newly created executables or scripts in %APPDATA%, %TEMP%, or ~/Library/Application Support/ written by the Modeler process.
Detection Strategies
- Hunt for process-tree anomalies where Substance3D Modeler is the parent of shell interpreters or scripting engines.
- Correlate application crash telemetry with recent file-download or email-attachment events to identify targeted exploitation attempts.
- Deploy YARA rules against 3D asset repositories to flag files with malformed headers or oversized chunk descriptors.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable EDR file-write and process-creation telemetry on workstations used by 3D artists and design teams.
- Ingest Adobe Creative Cloud desktop application logs into your SIEM and alert on repeated Modeler crashes.
- Track installed versions of Substance3D Modeler across the fleet and alert when hosts run versions at or below 1.14.1.
How to Mitigate CVE-2024-53002
Immediate Actions Required
- Update Adobe Substance3D Modeler to the fixed version released in APSB24-102 on all Windows and macOS endpoints.
- Instruct users to open 3D asset files only from trusted sources and to verify the origin of files received by email or chat.
- Restrict standard users from running Substance3D Modeler with elevated privileges to limit post-exploitation impact.
Patch Information
Adobe released a fixed build of Substance3D Modeler in December 2024 as documented in Adobe Security Bulletin APSB24-102. Deploy the update through Adobe Creative Cloud desktop or your enterprise software-distribution platform. Verify the installed version is greater than 1.14.1 on every affected host.
Workarounds
- Block inbound email attachments with 3D asset extensions such as .sbs, .sbsar, .fbx, and .obj at the mail gateway until patching is complete.
- Apply application allow-listing to prevent Substance3D Modeler from spawning shell interpreters or scripting engines.
- Isolate designer workstations on a segmented VLAN with restricted outbound network access to limit attacker reach after code execution.
# Verify installed version on macOS
defaults read "/Applications/Adobe Substance 3D Modeler.app/Contents/Info.plist" CFBundleShortVersionString
# Verify installed version on Windows (PowerShell)
Get-ItemProperty "HKLM:\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\*" |
Where-Object { $_.DisplayName -like "*Substance 3D Modeler*" } |
Select-Object DisplayName, DisplayVersion
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
