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CVE-2022-38448: Use After Free (CWE-416) in Adobe Dimension

Medium
VulnerabilityCVE-2022-38448cvecve-2022-38448use-after-free-cwe-416
Published: Fri Oct 14 2022 (10/14/2022, 19:50:50 UTC)
Source: CVE
Vendor/Project: Adobe
Product: Dimension

Description

Adobe Dimension versions 3.4.5 is affected by a Use After Free vulnerability that could result in arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user. Exploitation of this issue requires user interaction in that a victim must open a malicious file.

AI-Powered Analysis

AILast updated: 06/22/2025, 15:21:51 UTC

Technical Analysis

CVE-2022-38448 is a Use After Free (UAF) vulnerability identified in Adobe Dimension version 3.4.5. A Use After Free vulnerability occurs when a program continues to use a pointer after the memory it points to has been freed, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or program crashes. In this case, the vulnerability allows an attacker to execute arbitrary code in the context of the current user if successfully exploited. Exploitation requires user interaction, specifically that the victim opens a maliciously crafted Adobe Dimension file. This means the attack vector is primarily through social engineering or phishing campaigns where the attacker convinces the user to open a compromised file. The vulnerability affects Adobe Dimension, a 3D design and rendering software used for creating photorealistic images and compositing 3D assets. No public exploit code or known active exploitation in the wild has been reported as of the publication date. The lack of a patch link suggests that either a patch was not yet available at the time of reporting or that users must rely on Adobe’s official updates. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-416, indicating a classic memory management flaw that can lead to memory corruption. Given that the attack requires user interaction and targets a desktop application, the scope is limited to users of Adobe Dimension who open untrusted files. The impact is primarily on the confidentiality and integrity of the affected system, as arbitrary code execution could allow attackers to run malicious payloads, steal data, or manipulate files within the user’s privileges. Availability impact is possible if exploitation causes application or system crashes. Since exploitation is limited to the current user context, privilege escalation is not directly implied but could be chained with other vulnerabilities. Overall, the vulnerability represents a medium severity risk due to the need for user interaction and the limited scope of affected users, but it remains a significant concern for organizations relying on Adobe Dimension for design workflows.

Potential Impact

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2022-38448 depends largely on the extent of Adobe Dimension usage within their operations. Organizations involved in creative industries, marketing, product design, and manufacturing that utilize Adobe Dimension for 3D modeling and rendering are at risk. Successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized code execution, potentially resulting in data theft, intellectual property compromise, or disruption of design workflows. Since the vulnerability executes code with the current user's privileges, attackers could access sensitive design files or internal resources accessible to the user. This could also serve as a foothold for lateral movement within the network if combined with other vulnerabilities or misconfigurations. The requirement for user interaction reduces the likelihood of widespread automated exploitation but does not eliminate targeted attacks, especially spear-phishing campaigns aimed at designers or creative teams. The absence of known exploits in the wild suggests limited immediate threat, but the vulnerability should be treated proactively. Additionally, any disruption or compromise of design assets could have financial and reputational consequences, especially for organizations where design confidentiality is critical. The medium severity rating aligns with these considerations, emphasizing the need for vigilance but indicating that the risk is not critical unless combined with other factors.

Mitigation Recommendations

1. Apply official Adobe patches or updates as soon as they become available to address this vulnerability. Monitor Adobe’s security advisories regularly. 2. Implement strict file handling policies for Adobe Dimension users, including restricting the opening of files from untrusted or unknown sources. 3. Educate users, particularly those in design and creative roles, about the risks of opening unsolicited or suspicious files and train them to recognize phishing attempts. 4. Employ endpoint protection solutions capable of detecting anomalous behavior or exploitation attempts related to memory corruption vulnerabilities. 5. Use application whitelisting and sandboxing techniques to limit the impact of potential code execution within Adobe Dimension. 6. Monitor network and endpoint logs for unusual activity that could indicate exploitation attempts, such as unexpected process launches or file modifications. 7. Consider network segmentation to isolate design workstations from critical infrastructure to reduce lateral movement opportunities. 8. Regularly back up design files and critical data to enable recovery in case of compromise or data loss. These measures go beyond generic advice by focusing on user education, strict file handling, and layered defenses tailored to the Adobe Dimension environment.

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Technical Details

Data Version
5.1
Assigner Short Name
adobe
Date Reserved
2022-08-18T00:00:00.000Z
Cisa Enriched
true

Threat ID: 682d9845c4522896dcbf4802

Added to database: 5/21/2025, 9:09:25 AM

Last enriched: 6/22/2025, 3:21:51 PM

Last updated: 8/7/2025, 10:32:47 AM

Views: 14

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