CVE-2022-42933 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-2022-42933 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within the DesignReview.exe application that processes Autodesk DWF and PCT file formats. This issue manifests when the application encounters maliciously crafted files that trigger write access violations during file parsing operations. The vulnerability falls under the category of buffer overflow conditions and memory corruption flaws as classified by CWE-121 and CWE-125, where improper bounds checking allows unauthorized memory modifications that can compromise system integrity.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the improper handling of file format parsing within DesignReview.exe, which fails to validate the structure and content of incoming DWF and PCT files before attempting to process them. When a malicious file is opened, the application's memory management routines execute write operations to memory locations that have not been properly allocated or validated, resulting in memory corruption. This type of flaw is particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged to execute arbitrary code within the context of the current process, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to escalate privileges or gain unauthorized access to systems. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1547.001 for Registry Run Keys / Startup Folder, as successful exploitation could lead to persistent access through process manipulation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory corruption, as it creates potential pathways for complete system compromise when combined with other exploit vectors. Attackers could chain this vulnerability with additional flaws to achieve remote code execution, privilege escalation, or data exfiltration. The DesignReview.exe application typically runs with elevated privileges in enterprise environments, making successful exploitation particularly dangerous as it could allow attackers to execute malicious code with the same permissions as legitimate users. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations that rely heavily on Autodesk design and review tools, especially those in engineering, architecture, and manufacturing sectors where such applications are commonly deployed. The risk is amplified in environments where users have unrestricted access to file systems or where automated file processing is enabled.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-42933 should include immediate patching of affected Autodesk software versions, implementation of strict file validation procedures, and network segmentation to limit access to DesignReview.exe functionality. Organizations should deploy application whitelisting policies to restrict execution of unauthorized file processing applications and implement sandboxing techniques to isolate potentially malicious file handling operations. Additionally, monitoring for suspicious file access patterns and implementing security controls such as exploit prevention systems can help detect and block exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices and proper bounds checking in file format parsers, as outlined in the OWASP Secure Coding Practices and the CERT Secure Coding Standards. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar issues in other applications that process external file formats, as this class of vulnerability remains prevalent in enterprise software environments where file handling is a core functionality.