CVE-2021-25178 in Drawings SDK
Summary
by MITRE • 01/18/2021
An issue was discovered in Open Design Alliance Drawings SDK before 2021.11. A stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability exists when the recover operation is run with malformed .DXF and .DWG files. This can allow attackers to cause a crash potentially enabling a denial of service attack (Crash, Exit, or Restart) or possible code execution.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/15/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-25178 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow within the Open Design Alliance Drawings SDK version 2021.10 and earlier. This flaw specifically manifests during the recovery operation when processing malformed .DXF and .DWG file formats, which are widely used in computer-aided design applications and document exchange. The affected software library serves as a foundational component for numerous CAD applications, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it could impact a broad spectrum of design and engineering tools. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly handle malformed data structures within these file formats, creating opportunities for attackers to exploit memory corruption issues through carefully crafted malicious files.
The technical nature of this vulnerability places it firmly within the scope of CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which occurs when more data is written to a buffer located on the stack than the buffer can hold. This particular implementation flaw allows attackers to manipulate the program's execution flow by overwriting adjacent memory locations, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or system instability. The recovery operation in the SDK appears to lack proper bounds checking when parsing the malformed file structures, enabling attackers to overflow the stack buffer and overwrite critical program execution data such as return addresses or function pointers. The attack surface expands significantly due to the widespread adoption of the Open Design Alliance Drawings SDK across various CAD platforms, meaning that exploitation could affect multiple applications that depend on this library for file processing capabilities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as it presents potential for remote code execution and system compromise. When an application utilizing the vulnerable SDK processes a maliciously crafted .DXF or .DWG file during recovery operations, the buffer overflow can trigger program termination, system restart, or even allow attackers to inject and execute arbitrary code on the target system. This makes the vulnerability particularly attractive to threat actors seeking to gain unauthorized access to systems running applications built on the affected SDK. The exploitability of this issue is enhanced by the fact that CAD files are commonly shared via email attachments, file transfer protocols, and collaborative platforms, providing multiple vectors for attack delivery. The vulnerability's potential for remote code execution places it within the ATT&CK framework's technique T1203, which encompasses exploitation of remote services and applications through memory corruption vulnerabilities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2021-25178 should prioritize immediate software updates to version 2021.11 or later of the Open Design Alliance Drawings SDK, which contains the necessary patches to address the buffer overflow conditions. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation measures for all CAD file processing operations, including the deployment of sandboxed environments for file analysis and the implementation of strict file format validation protocols. Network-based mitigations should include monitoring for suspicious file transfers and implementing content filtering solutions that can detect and block potentially malicious CAD files. Security teams should also consider deploying intrusion detection systems that can identify anomalous behavior patterns associated with buffer overflow exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's classification as a stack-based buffer overflow necessitates memory protection mechanisms such as stack canaries, address space layout randomization, and data execution prevention measures to reduce the likelihood of successful exploitation. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify potential additional attack vectors within applications that utilize the SDK, ensuring comprehensive protection against similar memory corruption vulnerabilities that may exist in the broader software ecosystem.