CVE-2022-27870 in AutoCAD
Summary
by MITRE • 06/21/2022
A maliciously crafted TGA file in Autodesk AutoCAD 2023 may be used to write beyond the allocated buffer while parsing TGA file. This vulnerability may be exploited to execute arbitrary code.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/22/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-27870 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within Autodesk AutoCAD 2023's TGA file parsing functionality. This issue arises from insufficient input validation and boundary checking during the processing of TGA image files, creating a potential pathway for remote code execution. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the software attempts to parse maliciously crafted TGA files that contain oversized or malformed data structures, leading to memory corruption that can be exploited by attackers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper memory management during TGA file parsing operations. When AutoCAD encounters a TGA file, it allocates a fixed-size buffer to store image data during parsing. However, the parsing routine fails to adequately validate the file's header information or verify that incoming data fits within allocated memory boundaries. This oversight allows an attacker to craft a TGA file with maliciously constructed metadata that causes the parsing code to write data beyond the intended buffer limits, resulting in memory corruption that can be leveraged for arbitrary code execution.
From an operational security perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to organizations heavily reliant on AutoCAD for design and engineering work. The attack vector typically involves social engineering campaigns where users unknowingly open malicious TGA files through email attachments, file sharing platforms, or compromised websites. The exploitation potential extends beyond simple code execution to include full system compromise, as successful exploitation can lead to privilege escalation and persistence mechanisms. This vulnerability particularly affects environments where AutoCAD is frequently used with untrusted image files or where users lack proper security awareness training.
The impact of CVE-2022-27870 aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter usage. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying Autodesk's security patches, implementing network segmentation to limit access to AutoCAD installations, and establishing strict file validation policies for image files. Additionally, deploying endpoint protection solutions with behavioral monitoring capabilities can help detect anomalous parsing activities. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of secure coding practices and input validation, particularly in applications that process untrusted file formats, as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten security framework. Organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments of their AutoCAD environments and implement user education programs to reduce the risk of successful exploitation through social engineering attacks.