CVE-2025-4605 is a vulnerability identified in Autodesk's USD for Maya, specifically version 0.31.0. The issue stems from improper handling of memory allocation when processing maliciously crafted .usdc files. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-789, which refers to memory allocation with an excessive size value. When a specially crafted .usdc file is loaded into Autodesk Maya, the software attempts to allocate an uncontrolled amount of memory. This can lead to denial-of-service (DoS) conditions by exhausting system resources or potentially cause data corruption due to memory mismanagement. The vulnerability requires local access (attack vector: local) and user interaction (loading the malicious file), but does not require privileges or authentication. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 6.6, indicating a medium severity level. The impact on confidentiality and integrity is low, but availability impact is high due to potential DoS. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no patches have been released as of the publication date (June 11, 2025).

For European organizations, especially those involved in digital content creation, animation, visual effects, or any industry relying on Autodesk Maya and its USD plugin, this vulnerability poses a risk of operational disruption. A successful exploitation could cause Maya to crash or become unresponsive, leading to loss of productivity and potential data corruption in project files. While the confidentiality and integrity impacts are low, the availability impact could affect project timelines and business continuity. Organizations with workflows that involve importing .usdc files from external or untrusted sources are particularly at risk. Given the creative and media sectors' importance in Europe, disruptions could have economic consequences. Furthermore, if exploited in a targeted manner, it could be used as a vector for sabotage or to disrupt collaborative projects.

To mitigate this vulnerability, European organizations should implement strict file handling policies, including validating and sanitizing all .usdc files before loading them into Maya. Restricting the import of .usdc files to trusted sources only is critical. Employ sandboxing or isolated environments for testing untrusted files to prevent system-wide impact. Monitoring application logs for unusual memory allocation patterns or crashes can help detect exploitation attempts early. Since no patch is currently available, organizations should consider disabling the USD plugin in Maya if it is not essential to their workflows. Additionally, educating users about the risks of opening unverified .usdc files and enforcing least privilege principles for user accounts can reduce exposure. Regular backups of project data will help recover from potential data corruption or loss.