CVE-2022-28807 in Drawings SDK
Summary
by MITRE • 07/18/2022
An issue was discovered in Open Design Alliance Drawings SDK before 2023.2. An Out-of-Bounds Read vulnerability exists when rendering a .dwg file after it's opened in the recovery mode. 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 • 08/01/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-28807 represents a critical out-of-bounds read flaw within the Open Design Alliance Drawings SDK version 2023.2 and earlier. This security weakness manifests specifically during the rendering process of .dwg files when they are opened in recovery mode, creating a dangerous condition that can be exploited by malicious actors. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and memory access controls within the SDK's file parsing and rendering components, particularly when handling corrupted or malformed .dwg files that trigger recovery mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a buffer over-read condition where the SDK attempts to access memory locations beyond the allocated boundaries of the data structure containing the .dwg file content. When a .dwg file is opened in recovery mode, the SDK's recovery algorithms process the file data in a manner that does not properly validate array indices or buffer limits. This allows an attacker to craft a malicious .dwg file that, when processed through the recovery mechanism, causes the application to read memory beyond intended boundaries. The out-of-bounds memory access can lead to information disclosure, application crashes, or more critically, arbitrary code execution within the context of the current process.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to organizations that rely on the Open Design Alliance Drawings SDK for CAD file processing and rendering. Attackers can leverage this flaw by delivering a specially crafted .dwg file that, when opened in recovery mode, triggers the out-of-bounds read condition. The execution context remains within the privileges of the running application, potentially allowing for privilege escalation or lateral movement within the compromised system. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as the vulnerability can enable code execution.
The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as it can be weaponized for persistent threats against systems processing CAD files. Organizations using the affected SDK versions face potential exposure through various attack vectors including email attachments, file sharing platforms, or web-based file viewers that utilize the SDK for rendering capabilities. The recovery mode functionality, designed to handle corrupted files gracefully, becomes a vector for exploitation rather than a safety mechanism. Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate patching to version 2023.2 or later, alongside network segmentation and file validation procedures to prevent malicious .dwg files from reaching vulnerable systems. Additional defensive measures include implementing application whitelisting, monitoring for unusual file processing patterns, and conducting regular security assessments of CAD processing workflows. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of thorough input validation in file format parsers and highlights the critical need for secure coding practices in software components that handle complex binary file formats.