CVE-2022-25790 in AutoCAD 2019
Summary
by MITRE • 04/12/2022
A maliciously crafted DWF file in Autodesk AutoCAD 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019 and Autodesk Navisworks 2022 can be used to write beyond the allocated boundaries when parsing the DWF files. Exploitation of this vulnerability may lead to code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/14/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-25790 represents a critical buffer overflow condition affecting Autodesk AutoCAD and Navisworks software across multiple versions including 2019 through 2022. This weakness manifests specifically during the parsing of DWF (Drawing Web Format) files, which are commonly used for sharing and viewing CAD drawings over web environments. The flaw occurs when the software processes maliciously crafted DWF files that contain malformed data structures designed to trigger memory boundary violations during file parsing operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and memory management within the DWF file parser component of Autodesk's software suite. When processing specially crafted DWF files, the application fails to properly bounds-check memory allocations, allowing an attacker to write data beyond the intended memory boundaries. This buffer overflow condition creates a predictable memory corruption scenario that can be exploited to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application process. The vulnerability maps directly to CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-122, which covers heap-based buffer overflow scenarios.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution capabilities to encompass potential system compromise and data breach scenarios. Attackers leveraging this vulnerability can gain unauthorized access to systems running affected Autodesk software, potentially leading to complete system takeover or persistent backdoor establishment. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that DWF files are frequently shared in collaborative engineering environments and can be embedded in web-based workflows, making exploitation more likely through social engineering or automated delivery mechanisms. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers exploitation for privilege escalation, and T1059, covering command and scripting interpreter usage.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-25790 should prioritize immediate software updates from Autodesk, as the vendor has released patches addressing the buffer overflow condition in affected versions. Organizations should implement strict file validation policies that prevent automatic processing of untrusted DWF files, particularly those received via email or downloaded from unverified sources. Network segmentation and application whitelisting can provide additional defense layers by restricting which systems can process CAD files and limiting potential lateral movement if exploitation occurs. Security monitoring should focus on detecting unusual file processing activities and memory allocation patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. System administrators should also consider implementing sandboxing mechanisms for CAD file handling and regularly audit file access logs to identify potential unauthorized processing of suspicious DWF content. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation in file parsing components and highlights the need for robust memory safety practices in engineering software applications that handle complex data formats.