CVE-2026-0662 is a vulnerability identified in Autodesk 3ds Max 2026 that arises from an Untrusted Search Path issue (CWE-426). This flaw occurs when the software opens a max project file from a directory that can be maliciously crafted by an attacker. The vulnerability allows the attacker to place malicious executables or libraries in the project directory or its search path, which the application then loads or executes without proper validation or path restrictions. Consequently, when a user opens the compromised max file, arbitrary code can execute with the privileges of the current user running 3ds Max. The vulnerability requires local access and user interaction (opening the file) but does not require prior authentication, making it a significant risk especially in environments where users may receive project files from external or untrusted sources. The CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.8 reflects high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, with low attack complexity but requiring user interaction. No public exploits are known yet, but the nature of the vulnerability suggests it could be leveraged for privilege escalation or persistence by attackers. Autodesk has not yet published patches but awareness and mitigation are critical. This vulnerability highlights the risks of insecure search path handling in complex software environments, particularly those used in professional content creation and design.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2026-0662 can be substantial, especially in industries relying heavily on Autodesk 3ds Max such as media production, architecture, engineering, and manufacturing. Successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution, resulting in data theft, intellectual property compromise, or disruption of critical design workflows. The vulnerability threatens confidentiality by exposing sensitive project data, integrity by allowing unauthorized code execution that could alter project files or system configurations, and availability by potentially causing application or system crashes. Given the collaborative nature of design projects, a compromised system could serve as a pivot point for lateral movement within corporate networks. The requirement for user interaction means phishing or social engineering could be used to trick users into opening malicious files. The lack of known exploits currently provides a window for proactive defense, but the high CVSS score indicates that once exploited, the consequences could be severe. European organizations with remote or hybrid work models may face increased risk due to file sharing outside secure environments.

To mitigate CVE-2026-0662, European organizations should implement several specific measures beyond generic advice: 1) Enforce strict validation and sanitization of all project directories and files before opening them in 3ds Max, especially those received from external sources. 2) Configure 3ds Max and the operating system to restrict DLL and executable search paths, ensuring the application does not load code from untrusted directories. 3) Employ application whitelisting and endpoint protection solutions that can detect and block unauthorized code execution originating from project directories. 4) Educate users on the risks of opening files from untrusted or unknown sources and implement policies requiring verification of file provenance. 5) Use sandboxing or containerization techniques to isolate 3ds Max processes, limiting the impact of potential code execution. 6) Monitor file system and process activity for suspicious behavior related to 3ds Max usage. 7) Maintain up-to-date backups of critical project data to enable recovery in case of compromise. 8) Apply vendor patches promptly once Autodesk releases them. 9) Consider network segmentation to limit lateral movement if a workstation is compromised. These targeted steps will reduce the attack surface and improve resilience against exploitation of this vulnerability.