CVE-2024-45679 – A heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability in A... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2024-45679?

CVE-2024-45679 has a CVSS score of 8.4 (HIGH). A heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability in Assimp versions before 5.4.3 allows local attackers to execute arbitrary code by importing a specially crafted file. This affects any application using vulnerable Assimp libraries for 3D model processing.

📋 TL;DR

A heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability in Assimp versions before 5.4.3 allows local attackers to execute arbitrary code by importing a specially crafted file. This affects any application using vulnerable Assimp libraries for 3D model processing.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

Assimp (Open Asset Import Library)

Versions: All versions prior to 5.4.3

Operating Systems: All platforms where Assimp is used

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: Any application linking against vulnerable Assimp libraries is affected when processing 3D model files.

📦 What is this software?

Assimp by Assimp

View all CVEs affecting Assimp →

⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

🔴

Worst Case

Complete system compromise with arbitrary code execution leading to data theft, ransomware deployment, or persistent backdoor installation.

🟠

Likely Case

Local privilege escalation or application crash when processing malicious 3D files, potentially leading to data exposure.

🟢

If Mitigated

Application crash without code execution if memory protections are enabled, but denial of service still occurs.

🌐 Internet-Facing: MEDIUM - Risk exists if application processes user-uploaded 3D files, but requires specific file format handling.

🏢 Internal Only: HIGH - Local attackers can exploit this through file processing workflows, shared drives, or malicious documents.

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: UNKNOWN

Unauthenticated Exploit: ✅ No

Complexity: MEDIUM

Exploitation requires local access and ability to trigger file import functionality with crafted input.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: 5.4.3

Vendor Advisory: https://github.com/assimp/assimp/releases/tag/v5.4.3

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

1. Download Assimp 5.4.3 from GitHub releases. 2. Replace existing Assimp libraries. 3. Recompile applications using Assimp. 4. Restart affected services.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Input Validation

all

Implement strict file validation before passing to Assimp library

Sandbox Processing

all

Run Assimp file processing in isolated containers or sandboxes

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Restrict file upload capabilities and limit 3D file processing to trusted sources only
Implement application allowlisting to prevent unauthorized code execution

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check Assimp version in application dependencies or linked libraries

Check Version:

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

Verify Fix Applied:

Verify Assimp version is 5.4.3 or later in application

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Application crashes during 3D file processing
Memory access violation errors in logs

Network Indicators:

Unusual file uploads of 3D model formats

SIEM Query:

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

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2024-45679

CVSS v3 Score: 8.4 (HIGH)

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

CWE: CWE-122

Published: September 18, 2024

Last Updated: June 13, 2025

🔗 References

https://github.com/assimp/assimp/releases/tag/v5.4.3 Patch,Release Notes
https://jvn.jp/en/jp/JVN42386607/ Third Party Advisory

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🔗 Related Vulnerabilities

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