CVE-2022-28809 in Drawings SDK
Summary
by MITRE • 07/18/2022
An issue was discovered in Open Design Alliance Drawings SDK before 2023.3. An Out-of-Bounds Read vulnerability exists when reading a DWG file with an invalid vertex number in a 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-2022-28809 resides within the Open Design Alliance Drawings SDK version prior to 2023.3, representing a critical out-of-bounds read flaw that manifests during the processing of DWG files under recovery mode conditions. This issue stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms when parsing vertex data within DWG file structures, creating a scenario where malformed vertex counts can trigger memory access violations. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of software parsing logic and memory management, where the SDK fails to properly validate vertex number parameters before attempting to access corresponding memory locations. Such validation gaps enable attackers to craft malicious DWG files that contain invalid vertex specifications, leading to unintended memory access patterns that can be exploited for code execution.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when the SDK attempts to process a DWG file containing malformed vertex data during recovery operations. The out-of-bounds read condition emerges when the application reads memory locations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries, typically triggered by a vertex count value that exceeds the actual available vertex data. This memory access violation can result in information disclosure, application crashes, or more critically, arbitrary code execution within the context of the running process. The recovery mode aspect of the vulnerability is particularly concerning as it suggests that the SDK's error handling and recovery mechanisms themselves contain flaws that can be leveraged by attackers to bypass normal execution paths and inject malicious code sequences.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-28809 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as the vulnerability allows for remote code execution with the privileges of the affected application. This presents a significant risk to organizations relying on DWG file processing capabilities, particularly in environments where untrusted DWG files might be processed automatically or through automated workflows. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which specifically addresses improper validation of array indices, and demonstrates how insufficient input sanitization can lead to memory corruption vulnerabilities. Attackers could potentially leverage this flaw in supply chain attacks, where malicious DWG files are embedded within legitimate software distributions, or in targeted attacks against organizations that process large volumes of CAD files from external sources.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability primarily involve updating to Open Design Alliance Drawings SDK version 2023.3 or later, which includes proper input validation and bounds checking for vertex data processing. Organizations should also implement defensive measures such as restricting file processing to trusted sources, implementing sandboxing mechanisms for DWG file handling, and deploying network-based intrusion detection systems that can identify suspicious file content patterns. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as the code execution capability enables attackers to run arbitrary commands through the compromised application. Additionally, implementing proper input validation at multiple layers of the application stack, including file format parsers and memory management components, can help prevent similar vulnerabilities from manifesting in other software components that handle similar file formats or data structures.