CVE-2025-27181
📋 TL;DR
CVE-2025-27181 is a use-after-free vulnerability in Substance3D Modeler that could allow arbitrary code execution when a user opens a malicious file. This affects users of Substance3D Modeler versions 1.15.0 and earlier. Attackers could gain the same privileges as the current user through crafted files.
💻 Affected Systems
- Adobe Substance3D Modeler
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete system compromise with attacker gaining full control of the user's system, data theft, ransomware deployment, or lateral movement within networks.
Likely Case
Local privilege escalation leading to data exfiltration, malware installation, or persistence mechanisms on the affected workstation.
If Mitigated
Limited impact with proper application sandboxing, user privilege restrictions, and file validation controls in place.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires user interaction (opening malicious file). No public exploit code is currently available.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 1.16.0 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/substance3d-modeler/apsb25-21.html
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Open Substance3D Modeler. 2. Go to Help > Check for Updates. 3. Install available updates. 4. Alternatively, download and install the latest version from Adobe's website.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict file opening
allOnly open Substance3D Modeler files from trusted sources. Implement file validation policies.
Run with reduced privileges
allRun Substance3D Modeler with limited user privileges to reduce impact of successful exploitation.
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement application allowlisting to restrict execution of unauthorized code.
- Use endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to monitor for suspicious file execution patterns.
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Substance3D Modeler version in Help > About Substance3D Modeler. If version is 1.15.0 or earlier, the system is vulnerable.Check Version:
Not applicable - check via application GUIVerify Fix Applied:
Verify version is 1.16.0 or later in Help > About Substance3D Modeler.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unexpected crashes of Substance3D Modeler
- Suspicious file access patterns in application logs
- Unusual process creation from Substance3D Modeler
Network Indicators:
- Outbound connections from Substance3D Modeler to unexpected destinations
- DNS queries for suspicious domains after file opening
SIEM Query:
Process Creation where Parent Process Name contains 'Substance3D Modeler' AND Command Line contains unusual parameters