Assimp: Use After Free
CVE-2025-15538 is a high-severity use after free vulnerability in Assimp from Open Asset Import Library, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.8 out of 10. It can be exploited with local access to the system by an attacker with a low-privileged account, without any action from a user. Affected Assimp versions: 6.0.0; 6.0.1; 6.0.2. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.2% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Check which version of Assimp you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open Asset Import Library | Assimp | 6.0.0; 6.0.1; 6.0.2 | Not stated |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- LocalThe attacker needs local access or must trick a user into running something.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- LowA basic user account is enough.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 4.0 | 1.9 | Low | CNA (vuldb.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 5.3 | Medium | CNA (vuldb.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.8 | High | NVD |
| CVSS 2.0 | 4.3 | Medium | CNA (vuldb.com) |
Official description
A security vulnerability has been detected in Open Asset Import Library Assimp up to 6.0.2. Affected by this vulnerability is the function Assimp::LWOImporter::FindUVChannels of the file /src/assimp/code/AssetLib/LWO/LWOMaterial.cpp. Such manipulation leads to use after free. The attack needs to be performed locally. The exploit has been disclosed publicly and may be used. This and similar defects are tracked and handled via issue #6128.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Use After Free
The product reuses or references memory after it has been freed. At some point afterward, the memory may be allocated again and saved in another pointer, while the original pointer references a location somewhere within the new allocation. Any operations using the original pointer are no longer valid because the memory belongs to the code that operates on the new pointer.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Choose a language that provides automatic memory management.
- When freeing pointers, be sure to set them to NULL once they are freed. However, the utilization of multiple or complex data structures may lower the usefulness of this strategy.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: poc, automatable: no, technical impact: partial).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Third-party and government advisories
- vuldb.com/?id.341727Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
- vuldb.com/?submit.735232Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
Technical write-ups (may include proof of concept)
- github.com/assimp/assimp/issues/6258Exploit, Issue Tracking
- github.com/assimp/assimp/issues/6258#issuecomment-3070999530Exploit, Issue Tracking
- github.com/user-attachments/files/21216542/assimp_poc10.zipExploit
Other references
- vuldb.com/?ctiid.341727Permissions Required, VDB Entry
Other vulnerabilities in Assimp
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
Recent Use After Free vulnerabilities
- 7.1 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
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