Core Security Technologies Advisory 2009.0909

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Core Security Technologies - CoreLabs Advisory  
http://www.coresecurity.com/corelabs/  
  
Autodesk 3DS Max Application Callbacks Arbitrary Command Execution  
  
  
  
1. *Advisory Information*  
  
Title: Autodesk 3DS Max Application Callbacks Arbitrary Command Execution  
Advisory Id: CORE-2009-0909  
Advisory URL:  
http://www.coresecurity.com/content/3dsmax-arbitrary-command-execution  
Date published: 2009-11-23  
Date of last update: 2009-11-20  
Vendors contacted: Autodesk  
Release mode: User release  
  
  
  
2. *Vulnerability Information*  
  
Class: Failure to Sanitize Data into a Different Plane [CWE-74]  
Impact: Code execution  
Remotely Exploitable: Yes  
Locally Exploitable: No  
Bugtraq ID: 36634  
CVE Name: CVE-2009-3577  
  
  
  
3. *Vulnerability Description*  
  
Autodesk 3D Studio Max [2] is a modeling, animation and redering  
package widely used for video game , film , multimedia and web content  
developement. The software provides a built-in scripting language,  
allowing users to bind custome code to actions performed in the  
applciation. Execution of scripting code does not require explicit  
permission from the user. This mechanim can be exploited by an  
attacker to execute arbitrary code by enticing a victim to open .max  
file with MaxScript application callbacks embedded.  
  
  
4. *Vulnerable packages*  
  
. Autodesk 3DSMax 2010  
. Autodesk 3DSMax 2009  
. Autodesk 3DSMax 2008  
. Autodesk 3DSMax 9  
. Autodesk 3DSMax 8  
. Autodesk 3DSMax 7  
. Autodesk 3DSMax 6  
  
  
5. *Vendor Information, Solutions and Workarounds*  
  
The vendor did not provide fixes or workaround information.  
  
You can disable the automatic loading of embedded MaxScript by  
following these steps:  
  
. Go to Customize menu > Preferences > Preference Settings dialog >  
MAXScript.  
. Uncheck "Load/Save Scene Scripts".  
. Uncheck "Load/Save Persistent Globals".  
  
  
6. *Credits*  
  
This vulnerability was discovered and researched by Sebastian Tello  
from Core Security Technologies during Bugweek 2009 [1].  
  
The publication of this advisory was coordinated by Fernando Russ from  
Core Security Advisories Team.  
  
  
7. *Technical Description / Proof of Concept Code*  
  
Autodesk 3D Studio Max provides built-in scripting language called  
MaxScript, which can be used to automate repetitive tasks, combine  
existing functionality in new ways, develop new tools and user  
interfaces and much more. Max allows users to bind MaxScript to  
application callbacks in a way that could be exploited by an attacker  
to execute arbitrary code by enticing a victim to open .max file with  
MaxScript application callbacks embedded.  
  
A Proof of Concept file can be obtained by following these simple  
steps. Open Max, press F11 (MaxScript Listener), and paste this code:  
  
/-----  
callbacks.addScript #filePostOpen ("DOSCommand(\"calc.exe\")")  
id:#mbLoadCallback persistent:true   
  
- -----/  
  
  
  
8. *Report Timeline*  
  
. 2009-08-25:  
Core Security Technologies ask the Autodesk Assistance Team for a  
security contact to report the vulnerability.  
  
. 2009-09-22:  
Core asks the Autodesk Assistance Team for a security contact to  
report the vulnerability.  
  
. 2009-10-09:  
Core contacts CERT to obtain security contact information for Autodesk.  
  
. 2009-10-16:  
CERT acknowledges the communication.  
  
. 2009-10-19:  
CERT sends their available contact information for Autodesk.  
  
. 2009-10-19:  
Core notifies Autodesk of the vulnerabilty report and announces its  
initial plan to publish the content on November 2nd, 2009. Core  
requests an acknoledgement within two working days and asks whehter  
the details should be sent encrypted or in plaintext.  
  
. 2009-10-19:  
Autodesk acknowledges the report and requests the information to be  
provided in encrypted form.  
  
. 2009-10-20:  
Core sends draft advisory and steps to reproduce the issue.  
  
. 2009-10-27:  
Core asks Autodesk about the status of the vulnerability report sent  
on October 20th, 2009.  
  
. 2009-10-27:  
Autodesk acknowledges the communication indicating that the pertinent  
Product Managers have been informed and are formulating a response.  
  
. 2009-11-06:  
Core notifies Autodesk about the missed deadline of November 2nd, 2009  
and reuqests an status update. Publication of CORE-2009-0909 is  
re-scheduled to November 16th, 2009 and is subject to change based on  
concrete feedback from Autodesk.  
  
. 2009-11-23:  
Given the lack of response from Autodesk, Core decides to publish the  
advisory CORE-2009-0909 as "user release".  
  
  
  
9. *References*  
  
[1] The author participated in Core Bugweek 2009 as member of the team  
"Gimbal Lock N Load".  
[2]  
http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/pc/index?id=13567410&siteID=123112  
  
  
10. *About CoreLabs*  
  
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.  
  
  
11. *About Core Security Technologies*  
  
Core Security Technologies develops strategic solutions that help  
security-conscious organizations worldwide develop and maintain a  
proactive process for securing their networks. The company's 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.  
  
  
12. *Disclaimer*  
  
The contents of this advisory are copyright (c) 2009 Core Security  
Technologies and (c) 2009 CoreLabs, and may be distributed freely  
provided that no fee is charged for this distribution and proper  
credit is given.  
  
  
13. *PGP/GPG Keys*  
  
This advisory has been signed with the GPG key of Core Security  
Technologies advisories team, which is available for download at  
http://www.coresecurity.com/files/attachments/core_security_advisories.asc.  
  
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