CVE-2021-43582 in Drawings SDK
Summary
by MITRE • 11/22/2021
A Use-After-Free Remote Vulnerability exists when reading a DWG file using Open Design Alliance Drawings SDK before 2022.11. The specific issue exists within the parsing of DWG files. The issue results from the lack of validating the existence of an object prior to performing operations on the object. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of the current process.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/25/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-43582 represents a critical use-after-free condition within the Open Design Alliance Drawings SDK, specifically affecting versions prior to 2022.11. This flaw manifests during the parsing of DWG files, which are widely used CAD (Computer-Aided Design) file formats in engineering and architectural applications. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms that fail to verify object existence before executing operations on them, creating a dangerous scenario where freed memory locations may be accessed or reused by malicious code. The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-416, which categorizes use-after-free conditions as a common class of memory safety issues that can lead to arbitrary code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data corruption or application crashes, as it provides attackers with a pathway for remote code execution within the context of the current process. When a vulnerable application processes a maliciously crafted DWG file, the improper memory management allows an attacker to manipulate the application's memory state and potentially execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected process. This presents a significant risk to organizations that rely on CAD software for design and drafting, particularly in environments where file sharing occurs across network boundaries. The vulnerability's remote exploitation capability means that attackers can deliver malicious DWG files through various attack vectors including email attachments, web downloads, or file sharing platforms without requiring local access to the target system.
Security professionals should recognize this vulnerability as a prime example of how memory safety issues in widely-used software libraries can create persistent security risks across multiple applications. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under T1059.007 for command and script interpreter, as the successful exploitation typically involves executing code within the target process context. Organizations using affected versions of the Open Design Alliance Drawings SDK should prioritize immediate remediation through patching to version 2022.11 or later, as this addresses the underlying memory management flaws in the DWG file parsing routines. Additional mitigations may include implementing strict file validation policies, restricting file type permissions, and deploying network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious DWG file transfers. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date software libraries and implementing comprehensive security testing procedures that include memory safety analysis to prevent similar issues from compromising system integrity.