CVE-2022-33889 in Design Review
Summary
by MITRE • 10/03/2022
A maliciously crafted GIF or JPEG files when parsed through Autodesk Design Review 2018, and AutoCAD 2023 and 2022 could be used to write beyond the allocated heap buffer. This vulnerability could lead to arbitrary code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/04/2026
This vulnerability exists in Autodesk Design Review 2018 and AutoCAD 2022 and 2023 applications due to improper input validation when processing image files. The flaw manifests as a heap-based buffer overflow occurring during the parsing of maliciously crafted GIF or JPEG files. When these applications attempt to parse specially constructed image data, the software fails to properly validate the boundaries of memory allocations, allowing an attacker to write data beyond the intended heap buffer limits. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 heap-based buffer overflow category, which represents a critical security weakness where data can be written beyond allocated memory regions.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability enables an attacker to achieve arbitrary code execution within the context of the victim's system. When a user opens a malicious image file in the affected Autodesk applications, the buffer overflow can be triggered during image decompression and rendering processes. The overflow occurs because the applications do not implement adequate bounds checking mechanisms when handling image metadata and pixel data structures. This allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations with malicious payloads, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it leverages the normal functionality of image processing, making it difficult to distinguish between legitimate and malicious files based on file type alone.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it can enable attackers to establish persistent access to compromised systems. Attackers can craft malicious image files that, when opened by unsuspecting users, will execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the affected application. This could result in data exfiltration, system reconnaissance, or deployment of additional malware. The vulnerability affects multiple versions of Autodesk's design and drafting software, making it a widespread concern for organizations that rely on these applications for engineering and architectural work. The attack vector is particularly concerning because image files are commonly shared in professional environments, increasing the likelihood of successful exploitation.
Organizations should immediately apply the vendor-provided patches and updates to address this vulnerability. System administrators should also implement file validation policies that restrict the types of image files allowed in enterprise environments. Network segmentation and application whitelisting can help reduce the attack surface by preventing unauthorized execution of potentially malicious image files. Additionally, user education regarding the dangers of opening untrusted image files is crucial for preventing exploitation. This vulnerability aligns with the ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1203 for Exploitation for Client Execution, as it enables attackers to execute code through legitimate application interfaces. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify systems running affected software versions and ensure timely remediation.