CVE-2025-15538 is a use-after-free vulnerability identified in the Open Asset Import Library (Assimp), a widely used open-source library for importing various 3D model formats. The vulnerability specifically exists in the function Assimp::LWOImporter::FindUVChannels within the source file LWOMaterial.cpp. The flaw occurs due to improper handling of memory, where a pointer is used after the memory it references has been freed, leading to undefined behavior such as memory corruption or application crashes. The vulnerability affects Assimp versions 6.0.0 through 6.0.2. Exploitation requires local access with low privileges (PR:L), no user interaction (UI:N), and no authentication beyond local presence, making remote exploitation infeasible. The CVSS 4.0 vector indicates low attack complexity and partial impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. While no known exploits are currently active in the wild, the vulnerability has been publicly disclosed, increasing the risk of future exploitation. Assimp is commonly integrated into software tools for 3D asset importation, including CAD, gaming, and visualization applications, meaning that any software embedding vulnerable Assimp versions could be susceptible to crashes or potential memory corruption attacks if a malicious local user manipulates 3D asset files. The issue is tracked under issue #6128 in the Assimp project, but no official patches or updates are linked yet.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-15538 depends largely on their use of Assimp within internal or customer-facing software. Organizations involved in software development, 3D modeling, CAD, gaming, or visualization that embed Assimp are at risk of local privilege escalation or denial-of-service conditions caused by memory corruption. Since exploitation requires local access, the threat is significant in environments where multiple users share systems or where insider threats exist. Confidentiality, integrity, and availability could be partially compromised if attackers leverage the vulnerability to execute arbitrary code or cause application crashes. This could disrupt workflows, cause data loss, or enable further attacks within the network. The medium CVSS score reflects moderate risk, but the lack of remote exploitability limits broad impact. However, organizations with lax local access controls or those that allow untrusted users to run software using Assimp are more vulnerable. The vulnerability could also affect software vendors in Europe who distribute products embedding vulnerable Assimp versions, potentially leading to reputational damage and customer impact.

1. Monitor the Assimp project and related issue #6128 for official patches or updates and apply them promptly once available. 2. Until patches are released, restrict local access to systems running vulnerable Assimp versions to trusted users only, minimizing the risk of local exploitation. 3. Implement strict user privilege separation and limit the ability of low-privileged users to execute or manipulate software that uses Assimp. 4. Conduct code audits and software inventory to identify applications embedding Assimp versions 6.0.0 to 6.0.2 and assess exposure. 5. Use application whitelisting and endpoint protection to detect abnormal behavior or crashes related to Assimp usage. 6. Educate local users about the risks of opening untrusted 3D asset files, especially in shared or multi-user environments. 7. Consider sandboxing or containerizing applications that use Assimp to limit the impact of potential exploitation. 8. For software vendors, update product dependencies to non-vulnerable Assimp versions before distribution.