CVE-2022-27525 in AutoCAD
Summary
by MITRE • 04/18/2022
A malicious crafted .dwf file when consumed through DesignReview.exe application could lead to memory corruption vulnerability by write access violation. This vulnerability in conjunction with other vulnerabilities could lead to code execution in the context of the current proces.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/21/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-27525 represents a critical memory corruption issue within the DesignReview.exe application that processes .dwf files. This flaw manifests when the application encounters a maliciously crafted .dwf file, which triggers a write access violation during file processing. The vulnerability falls under the category of heap-based buffer overflow conditions as defined by CWE-121, where insufficient bounds checking allows unauthorized memory writes beyond allocated buffers. The DesignReview.exe application, typically used for viewing Autodesk Design Web Format files, lacks proper input validation mechanisms to handle malformed file structures, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by attackers.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of .dwf file structures to force the DesignReview.exe process into writing data beyond intended memory boundaries. When the application attempts to parse the malicious file, it fails to properly validate the file headers and data structures, leading to a memory corruption state that can be manipulated to achieve arbitrary code execution. This memory corruption vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates within the context of the currently running process, meaning that successful exploitation would allow an attacker to execute malicious code with the privileges of the DesignReview.exe process. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which involves gaining access to system resources through process injection methods, and represents a classic example of how unvalidated input can lead to privilege escalation scenarios.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-27525 extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to potentially enable full system compromise. Attackers could craft malicious .dwf files that, when opened by unsuspecting users, would trigger the memory corruption and subsequently execute payload code without user interaction. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where design review applications are commonly used for collaborative engineering projects. The vulnerability affects Autodesk Design Review software versions prior to 2022.2, with the specific exploitation requiring the target system to have the DesignReview.exe application installed and configured to automatically process .dwf files. Organizations using this software face significant risk as the attack vector requires minimal user interaction beyond opening the malicious file, making it an attractive target for social engineering campaigns. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and memory safety practices in software development, particularly for applications that process external file formats.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-27525 should focus on both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements. Organizations should immediately apply the vendor-provided patches and updates for Autodesk Design Review software, which address the underlying memory corruption issue through improved input validation and bounds checking mechanisms. Network-based mitigations such as file type filtering and sandboxing of .dwf file processing can provide additional defense layers, though these approaches may impact usability. The implementation of principle of least privilege for the DesignReview.exe process ensures that even if exploitation occurs, the attacker's capabilities remain limited. Regular security assessments of file processing applications should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other software components. This vulnerability highlights the necessity of following secure coding practices as outlined in the OWASP Secure Coding Practices and demonstrates how seemingly minor input validation gaps can lead to severe security consequences, emphasizing the critical need for comprehensive security testing throughout the software development lifecycle.