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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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