9.3 High
CVSS2
Attack Vector
NETWORK
Attack Complexity
MEDIUM
Authentication
NONE
Confidentiality Impact
COMPLETE
Integrity Impact
COMPLETE
Availability Impact
COMPLETE
AV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C
0.032 Low
EPSS
Percentile
91.2%
**Title:**Autodesk Maya Script Nodes Arbitrary Command Execution
**Advisory Id:**CORE-2009-0910
**Advisory URL:**http://www.coresecurity.com/content/maya-arbitrary-command-execution
**Date published:**2009-11-23
**Date of last update:**2009-11-20
**Vendors contacted:**Autodesk
**Release mode:**User release
**Class:**Failure to Sanitize Data into a Different Plane [CWE-74]
**Impact:**Code execution
**Remotely Exploitable:**Yes
**Locally Exploitable:**No
Bugtraq ID:36636
CVE Name:CVE-2009-3578
Autodesk Maya [2] is a high-end 3D computer graphics and 3D modeling software package.
Autodesk Maya offers so called βScript Nodesβ as a way to program animation behavior using MEL (Maya Embedded Language) and the Python programming language. The Autodesk Maya file formats support embedding of scripting code as part of a scene package. Programs embeded in Maya files using scripting code are automatically executed upon opening of the file. An attacker can take control of a system where Maya is installed by sending a specially crafted scene package and enticing the user to open it. The scripting code will run with the privileges of the user running the Maya application.
The vendor did not provide fixes or workaround information.
You can prevent script nodes from executing when you open a file by following these steps:
This vulnerability was discovered and researched by Diego Juarez from Core Security Technologies during Bugweek 2009 [1].
The publication of this advisory was coordinated by Fernando Russ from Core Security Advisories Team.
Autodesk Maya offers so called βScript Nodesβ as a way to program animation behavior using MEL (the proprietary Maya scripting language) and the Python programming language. Script nodes are saved on the .mb
and .ma
file formats along with geometry and the rest of the scene data. By using files with embedded scripting code it is possible to execute arbitrary commands without any restriction and without requiring any user interaction after a user opened a malicious scene file.
The following steps work as Proof of Concept:
Open Maya.
Add some geometry.
Go to Window/Animation Editors/Expression Editor.
Put a name on it, set βEvaluate Onβ to βOpen/Closeβ, insert python code within quotes like this:
python(βimport osβ); python(βos.system(β%SystemRoot%\system32\calc.exeβ)β);
Save scene to a file with .mb
or .ma
format. Next time you open the scene, calc.exe will be run. This same behavior can be obtained using pure MEL code.
[1] The author participated in Core Bugweek 2009 as member of the team βGimbal Lock N Loadβ.
[2] http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/pc/index?siteID=123112&id=13577897
CoreLabs, the research center of Core Security Technologies, is charged with anticipating the future needs and requirements for information security technologies. We conduct our research in several important areas of computer security including system vulnerabilities, cyber attack planning and simulation, source code auditing, and cryptography. Our results include problem formalization, identification of vulnerabilities, novel solutions and prototypes for new technologies. CoreLabs regularly publishes security advisories, technical papers, project information and shared software tools for public use at: http://www.coresecurity.com/corelabs.
Core Security Technologies develops strategic solutions that help security-conscious organizations worldwide develop and maintain a proactive process for securing their networks. The companyβs flagship product, CORE IMPACT, is the most comprehensive product for performing enterprise security assurance testing. CORE IMPACT evaluates network, endpoint and end-user vulnerabilities and identifies what resources are exposed. It enables organizations to determine if current security investments are detecting and preventing attacks. Core Security Technologies augments its leading technology solution with world-class security consulting services, including penetration testing and software security auditing. Based in Boston, MA and Buenos Aires, Argentina, Core Security Technologies can be reached at 617-399-6980 or on the Web at http://www.coresecurity.com.
The contents of this advisory are copyright Β© 2009 Core Security Technologies and Β© 2009 CoreLabs, and may be distributed freely provided that no fee is charged for this distribution and proper credit is given.
This advisory has been signed with the GPG key of Core Security Technologies advisories team.