CVE-2025-54259: Adobe Substance 3D Modeler RCE Flaw

CVE-2025-54259 Overview

CVE-2025-54259 is an Integer Overflow or Wraparound vulnerability [CWE-190] affecting Adobe Substance 3D Modeler versions 1.22.2 and earlier. Successful exploitation allows arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user. The flaw requires local access and user interaction, meaning a victim must open a malicious file crafted by an attacker. Adobe published the issue on September 9, 2025 under security bulletin APSB25-92.

Critical Impact
Attackers who convince a user to open a malicious project file can execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the logged-in user, leading to full compromise of the user session.

Affected Products

Adobe Substance 3D Modeler 1.22.2 and earlier
Windows installations of Substance 3D Modeler
macOS installations of Substance 3D Modeler

Discovery Timeline

2025-09-09 - CVE-2025-54259 published to NVD
2025-09-09 - Adobe releases security bulletin APSB25-92
2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-54259

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability stems from improper handling of integer arithmetic when Substance 3D Modeler parses data from a model or project file. When attacker-controlled values are used in size or length calculations, the result wraps around the maximum representable integer value. The application then allocates an undersized buffer based on the truncated value while copying the full attacker-supplied payload. This mismatch produces a heap memory corruption condition that an attacker can shape into arbitrary code execution.

Exploitation requires the victim to open a malicious file, which aligns with the local attack vector and user interaction requirements documented for this issue. Because the scope is unchanged, code executes within the privilege level of the user running Substance 3D Modeler. The Exploit Prediction Scoring System (EPSS) currently estimates a low probability of exploitation, and no public proof-of-concept has been published.

Root Cause

The root cause is unchecked arithmetic on file-derived length or count fields during parsing of Substance 3D Modeler assets. The product fails to validate that multiplication or addition operations on these fields stay within representable bounds before they feed allocation routines.

Attack Vector

An attacker delivers a malicious Substance 3D project or model file through email, web download, or shared storage. When the user opens the file in a vulnerable version, the parser triggers the integer wraparound and follows the corrupted control flow into attacker-controlled shellcode. No network exposure is required.

No verified exploitation code is available for CVE-2025-54259. Refer to the Adobe Security Advisory APSB25-92 for technical details published by the vendor.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-54259

Indicators of Compromise

Substance 3D Modeler process (Modeler.exe on Windows or the macOS equivalent) spawning command interpreters such as cmd.exe, powershell.exe, or /bin/sh.
Crash artifacts, Windows Error Reporting entries, or macOS crash logs referencing Substance 3D Modeler immediately after a file open event.
Unexpected outbound network connections initiated by the Substance 3D Modeler process shortly after document load.

Detection Strategies

Hunt for child process creation events where the parent image is Substance 3D Modeler and the child is a scripting host, LOLBin, or unsigned binary.
Correlate file-open telemetry on Substance 3D project file extensions with subsequent process anomalies or memory protection violations.
Inspect endpoint detection and response (EDR) telemetry for module loads of suspicious DLLs or dylibs into the Modeler process address space.

Monitoring Recommendations

Track installed versions of Adobe Substance 3D Modeler across the fleet and flag any host still running 1.22.2 or earlier.
Forward Substance 3D Modeler crash and process telemetry to your SIEM or data lake for retroactive hunting.
Monitor file-sharing channels and email gateways for delivery of Substance 3D asset files from untrusted sources.

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-54259

Immediate Actions Required

Upgrade Adobe Substance 3D Modeler to the fixed version listed in Adobe Security Advisory APSB25-92.
Instruct designers and 3D artists not to open Substance 3D project files received from unverified senders or untrusted repositories.
Inventory all workstations running Substance 3D Modeler and prioritize patching for systems handling external content.

Patch Information

Adobe addressed CVE-2025-54259 in the update released alongside bulletin APSB25-92 on September 9, 2025. Versions after 1.22.2 contain the corrected bounds checks. Apply the vendor update through the Adobe Creative Cloud desktop client or by downloading the installer directly from Adobe.

Workarounds

Restrict Substance 3D Modeler file associations so that project files do not open automatically from email clients or browsers.
Open untrusted 3D assets only inside an isolated virtual machine without access to sensitive data or corporate credentials.
Apply application allow-listing or attack surface reduction rules that block child process creation from Substance 3D Modeler.

bash

# Configuration example: query installed Substance 3D Modeler version on Windows
reg query "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Adobe\Substance 3D Modeler" /s | findstr /i "Version"