CVE-2022-41309 in AutoCAD
Summary
by MITRE • 10/21/2022
A malicious crafted .dwf or .pct 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 process.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/07/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-41309 represents a critical memory corruption issue within the DesignReview.exe application that processes Autodesk DWF and PCT file formats. This flaw manifests when the application handles maliciously crafted files that exploit improper memory handling during file parsing operations. The vulnerability specifically occurs through write access violations that can result in unpredictable memory corruption patterns, potentially allowing attackers to manipulate the application's memory state in ways that compromise system integrity.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-787, which addresses out-of-bounds write operations. When DesignReview.exe processes the malformed DWF or PCT files, the application fails to properly validate input boundaries during memory allocation and data processing, creating opportunities for attackers to inject malicious code into the application's memory space. The write access violation occurs during the parsing phase when the application attempts to write data beyond allocated memory boundaries, potentially overwriting critical program structures or executable code.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory corruption, as it creates potential pathways for privilege escalation and code execution within the context of the currently running process. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code with the same privileges as the DesignReview.exe process, which typically runs with user-level permissions but may have elevated access depending on system configuration. This vulnerability particularly affects environments where users may encounter untrusted design files through email attachments, file sharing platforms, or automated document processing systems. The attack vector is particularly concerning because DWF and PCT files are commonly used in engineering and architectural workflows, making them frequent targets for social engineering campaigns.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate application hardening and user awareness training to prevent exploitation. Organizations should implement strict file validation procedures and restrict the execution of DesignReview.exe from untrusted sources. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1203, which describes exploitation of remote services, and T1059, which covers command and scripting interpreters. Security measures should include application whitelisting, network segmentation, and regular security updates from Autodesk. Additionally, implementing memory protection mechanisms such as DEP and ASLR can significantly reduce the exploitability of such memory corruption vulnerabilities, while monitoring for unusual file processing patterns can help detect potential exploitation attempts.