CVE-2025-27181: Adobe Substance 3D Modeler RCE Flaw

CVE-2025-27181 Overview

CVE-2025-27181 is a Use After Free vulnerability [CWE-416] affecting Adobe Substance 3D Modeler versions 1.15.0 and earlier. The flaw allows arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user when a victim opens a malicious file. Exploitation requires user interaction, limiting opportunistic attacks but enabling targeted social engineering campaigns against 3D content creators and design studios. Adobe published the security advisory APSB25-21 to address the issue.

Critical Impact
Successful exploitation leads to arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the logged-in user, compromising confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the host system.

Affected Products

Adobe Substance 3D Modeler version 1.15.0
Adobe Substance 3D Modeler all prior versions
Windows and macOS installations of Substance 3D Modeler

Discovery Timeline

2025-03-11 - CVE-2025-27181 published to NVD
2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-27181

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability is a Use After Free condition within Adobe Substance 3D Modeler's file parsing routines. Use After Free flaws occur when an application continues to reference memory after it has been freed, allowing attackers to manipulate object state and redirect program execution. An attacker crafts a malicious project or asset file that triggers the dangling pointer condition during parsing. Once the freed memory is reallocated with attacker-controlled data, the application dereferences it and transfers control to attacker-supplied instructions.

The attack vector is local and requires the victim to open the malicious file. The current EPSS score is 0.285% at the 20.17 percentile, indicating low observed exploitation probability. No public proof-of-concept code or exploitation in the wild has been reported, and the issue is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.

Root Cause

The root cause is improper object lifetime management in the 3D asset parsing logic. The application releases a heap object while retaining references that are later dereferenced during subsequent processing of the same file. This creates an exploitable primitive when the freed allocation is reclaimed by attacker-controlled data.

Attack Vector

An attacker delivers a crafted Substance 3D Modeler file through phishing, file-sharing platforms, or compromised asset marketplaces. The victim opens the file in a vulnerable Modeler client. Parsing triggers the Use After Free, leading to arbitrary code execution under the current user account. See the Adobe Security Advisory APSB25-21 for vendor technical details.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-27181

Indicators of Compromise

Unexpected child processes spawned by Adobe Substance 3D Modeler.exe such as cmd.exe, powershell.exe, or scripting interpreters
Substance 3D Modeler process crashes shortly after opening a file from an untrusted source
Outbound network connections initiated by the Modeler process to unrecognized hosts
Creation of executable files or scheduled tasks following Modeler file open events

Detection Strategies

Monitor process lineage from Substance 3D Modeler binaries for anomalous child processes
Inspect Modeler file opens originating from email attachments, downloads folders, or removable media
Correlate application crash events with subsequent process or persistence activity on the same host
Apply behavioral identification rules for Use After Free exploitation patterns such as heap spray and ROP gadget execution

Monitoring Recommendations

Collect EDR telemetry for process creation, file write, and network connection events tied to Modeler processes
Alert on Modeler reading files from network shares or unverified sources
Track installed Modeler versions across the fleet to identify hosts still running 1.15.0 or earlier
Forward application crash reports to a centralized log platform for analyst review

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-27181

Immediate Actions Required

Upgrade Adobe Substance 3D Modeler to the fixed version listed in Adobe Security Advisory APSB25-21
Inventory endpoints running Substance 3D Modeler 1.15.0 or earlier and prioritize them for patching
Instruct users to avoid opening Modeler files received from untrusted sources or unsolicited messages
Validate application allowlisting policies to restrict Modeler from spawning shells or scripting hosts

Patch Information

Adobe addressed CVE-2025-27181 in the update referenced by advisory APSB25-21. Administrators should apply the vendor-supplied update on all Windows and macOS systems running Substance 3D Modeler. Confirm the installed version through the application's About dialog or software inventory tooling after deployment.

Workarounds

Block delivery of Substance 3D Modeler project files at the email gateway until patching is complete
Restrict execution of Substance 3D Modeler to authorized design workstations through application control
Run Substance 3D Modeler under a standard user account to limit post-exploitation impact
Disable automatic file association handlers that open Modeler files without user prompts

bash

# Verify installed Substance 3D Modeler version on Windows
reg query "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall" /s /f "Substance 3D Modeler"

# Verify installed Substance 3D Modeler version on macOS
mdls -name kMDItemVersion "/Applications/Adobe Substance 3D Modeler.app"