CVE-2024-9718 Overview
CVE-2024-9718 is an out-of-bounds read vulnerability in Trimble SketchUp Viewer that allows attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected installations. The flaw exists within the parsing logic for SKP files. Exploitation requires user interaction, specifically opening a malicious file or visiting a page hosting one. Successful exploitation yields code execution in the context of the current process. The issue was reported through the Zero Day Initiative as ZDI-CAN-24102 and is tracked in ZDI-24-1378.
Critical Impact
Attackers can achieve arbitrary code execution on systems running Trimble SketchUp Viewer by convincing a user to open a crafted SKP file.
Affected Products
- Trimble SketchUp Viewer 22.0.316.0
- Installations parsing untrusted SKP files
- Windows workstations running vulnerable SketchUp Viewer builds
Discovery Timeline
- 2024-11-22 - CVE-2024-9718 published to NVD
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2024-9718
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability is an out-of-bounds read [CWE-125] in the SKP file parser of Trimble SketchUp Viewer. The parser fails to properly validate user-supplied data embedded in the file structure. When SketchUp Viewer processes a malformed SKP file, it reads memory past the end of an allocated buffer.
Attackers can leverage this condition to disclose adjacent memory or corrupt program state during parsing. In combination with other primitives, the out-of-bounds read enables arbitrary code execution in the context of the current process. The attack complexity is low, and no privileges are required beyond convincing the victim to open the file.
Root Cause
The root cause is missing bounds validation on attacker-controlled length or offset fields inside the SKP file format. The parser trusts values in the file header or embedded structures without checking them against the size of the allocated buffer. This allows read operations to extend beyond the intended memory region.
Attack Vector
Exploitation is local and requires user interaction. An attacker crafts a malicious SKP file and delivers it via email, web download, or a shared file system. When the victim opens the file in SketchUp Viewer, the parser processes the malformed structure and triggers the out-of-bounds read. The attacker gains code execution with the privileges of the SketchUp Viewer process.
No verified public proof-of-concept code is available. Refer to the Zero Day Initiative Advisory ZDI-24-1378 for additional technical details.
Detection Methods for CVE-2024-9718
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected crashes or hangs in SketchUp.exe or SketchUpViewer.exe when opening SKP files
- SKP files delivered from untrusted email or web sources with unusual sizes or malformed headers
- Child processes spawned by SketchUp Viewer that are inconsistent with normal application behavior
- Memory access violations logged in Windows Event Log referencing the SketchUp Viewer process
Detection Strategies
- Hunt for SketchUp Viewer processes launching command interpreters such as cmd.exe, powershell.exe, or wscript.exe
- Alert on SKP file downloads from external domains followed by immediate execution by SketchUp Viewer
- Monitor for unsigned or unusual DLLs loaded into the SketchUp Viewer process space
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable process creation and file open telemetry on endpoints running SketchUp Viewer
- Log and review Windows Error Reporting (WER) entries for crashes involving SketchUp binaries
- Correlate email gateway and web proxy logs with endpoint file-open events for .skp extensions
How to Mitigate CVE-2024-9718
Immediate Actions Required
- Inventory all endpoints running Trimble SketchUp Viewer and identify version 22.0.316.0 installations
- Apply the vendor-provided update as referenced in ZDI-24-1378
- Restrict opening of SKP files received from untrusted sources until patching is complete
- Educate users on the risk of opening SketchUp files from unverified senders
Patch Information
Refer to the Zero Day Initiative Advisory ZDI-24-1378 and the Trimble security portal for the fixed release of SketchUp Viewer. Deploy the patched version to all affected endpoints and confirm remediation through software inventory reporting.
Workarounds
- Block delivery of .skp file attachments at the email gateway for high-risk user populations
- Configure file associations so .skp files do not auto-open in vulnerable versions of SketchUp Viewer
- Use application allowlisting to prevent SketchUp Viewer from spawning shell or scripting interpreters
- Isolate workstations that must process untrusted SKP files in a segmented network or virtual desktop environment
# Configuration example: enumerate SketchUp Viewer installations via PowerShell
Get-CimInstance Win32_Product | Where-Object { $_.Name -like '*SketchUp*' } | Select-Object Name, Version, Vendor
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
