CVE-2024-40724 – A heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability in A... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2024-40724?

CVE-2024-40724 has a CVSS score of 7.8 (HIGH). A heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability in Assimp (Open Asset Import Library) allows local attackers to execute arbitrary code by processing specially crafted files. This affects applications using vulnerable Assimp versions to parse 3D model files. Attackers could gain code execution with the privileges of the application using Assimp.

📋 TL;DR

A heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability in Assimp (Open Asset Import Library) allows local attackers to execute arbitrary code by processing specially crafted files. This affects applications using vulnerable Assimp versions to parse 3D model files. Attackers could gain code execution with the privileges of the application using Assimp.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

Assimp (Open Asset Import Library)

Versions: All versions prior to 5.4.2

Operating Systems: All platforms where Assimp is used

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: Any application using Assimp library to parse 3D model files (FBX, OBJ, COLLADA, etc.) is vulnerable.

📦 What is this software?

Assimp by Assimp

View all CVEs affecting Assimp →

⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

🔴

Worst Case

Complete system compromise via arbitrary code execution leading to privilege escalation, data theft, or persistent backdoor installation.

🟠

Likely Case

Local privilege escalation or application compromise when processing malicious files from untrusted sources.

🟢

If Mitigated

Limited impact if applications run with minimal privileges and don't process untrusted files.

🌐 Internet-Facing: LOW - Requires local file processing; not directly exploitable over network.

🏢 Internal Only: MEDIUM - Could be exploited via social engineering or malicious internal files.

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: UNKNOWN

Unauthenticated Exploit: ✅ No

Complexity: MEDIUM

Requires local file access and knowledge of file format manipulation.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: 5.4.2

Vendor Advisory: https://github.com/assimp/assimp/releases/tag/v5.4.2

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

1. Update Assimp library to version 5.4.2 or later
2. Recompile applications using Assimp
3. Restart affected applications/services

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Restrict file processing

all

Limit Assimp usage to trusted file sources only

Run with reduced privileges

all

Execute applications using Assimp with minimal necessary permissions

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Implement strict file validation before processing with Assimp
Sandbox applications using Assimp to limit potential damage

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check Assimp version in use by applications; versions <5.4.2 are vulnerable

Check Version:

assimp version (if CLI installed) or check library version in application

Verify Fix Applied:

Confirm Assimp version is 5.4.2 or higher after update

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Application crashes when processing 3D files
Memory access violation errors in application logs

Network Indicators:

No direct network indicators

SIEM Query:

Application:assimp AND (EventID:1000 OR ExceptionCode:c0000005)

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2024-40724

CVSS v3 Score: 7.8 (HIGH)

CVSS Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CWE: CWE-787

Published: July 19, 2024

Last Updated: March 25, 2025

🔗 References

https://github.com/assimp/assimp/pull/5651/commits/614911bb3b1bfc3a1799ae2b3cca306270f3fb97 Patch
https://github.com/assimp/assimp/releases/tag/v5.4.2 Release Notes
https://jvn.jp/en/jp/JVN87710540/ Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/assimp/assimp/pull/5651/commits/614911bb3b1bfc3a1799ae2b3cca306270f3fb97 Patch
https://github.com/assimp/assimp/releases/tag/v5.4.2 Release Notes
https://jvn.jp/en/jp/JVN87710540/ Third Party Advisory

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