CVE-2023-50196
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code by tricking users into opening malicious SKP files in Trimble SketchUp Viewer. The flaw exists due to improper validation of object existence during SKP file parsing, leading to use-after-free conditions. All users running vulnerable versions of SketchUp Viewer are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- Trimble SketchUp Viewer
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete system compromise with attacker gaining the same privileges as the current user, potentially leading to data theft, ransomware deployment, or lateral movement within the network.
Likely Case
Local privilege escalation leading to malware installation, data exfiltration, or persistence mechanisms being established on the compromised system.
If Mitigated
Limited impact due to application sandboxing or restricted user privileges, potentially resulting in application crash without code execution.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires user interaction but the vulnerability is in a widely used file format parser, making weaponization likely. ZDI-CAN-21800 indicates coordinated vulnerability disclosure.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Check Trimble security advisory for specific patched version
Vendor Advisory: https://www.trimble.com/security/advisories
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Open SketchUp Viewer
2. Navigate to Help > Check for Updates
3. Install any available updates
4. Restart the application
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable SKP file association
allPrevent SketchUp Viewer from automatically opening SKP files
Windows: Control Panel > Default Programs > Associate a file type or protocol with a program > Change .skp association to another program or 'Ask every time'
macOS: Right-click SKP file > Get Info > Open with > Select different application
Application control policy
allBlock execution of SketchUp Viewer via application whitelisting
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement network segmentation to isolate systems running SketchUp Viewer
- Use email/web filtering to block SKP file attachments and downloads
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check SketchUp Viewer version against Trimble's security advisory for vulnerable versionsCheck Version:
Windows: Open SketchUp Viewer > Help > About SketchUp Viewer; macOS: Open SketchUp Viewer > SketchUp Viewer menu > About SketchUp ViewerVerify Fix Applied:
Verify installed version matches or exceeds the patched version listed in Trimble's advisory📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Application crashes of SketchUp Viewer
- Unusual process creation from SketchUp Viewer
- Multiple failed file parsing attempts
Network Indicators:
- Downloads of SKP files from untrusted sources
- Outbound connections from SketchUp Viewer process
SIEM Query:
process_name:"SketchUp Viewer" AND (event_type:crash OR parent_process:"SketchUp Viewer")