CVE-2022-42935 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.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/07/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-42935 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within the DesignReview.exe application that processes Autodesk DWF and PCT file formats. This vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation and memory management when handling specially crafted malicious files that exploit buffer overflows or write access violations. The flaw exists in the file parsing logic that fails to properly validate the structure and content of these proprietary graphics formats, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate memory layout and execution flow. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it operates within a legitimate application context, making it difficult to distinguish between benign and malicious file processing activities.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when DesignReview.exe attempts to parse maliciously crafted .dwf or .pct files that contain malformed data structures designed to trigger memory corruption. The write access violation typically manifests when the application attempts to write beyond allocated memory boundaries or to memory regions that are not properly initialized or protected. This type of vulnerability maps directly to CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-125, which addresses out-of-bounds read conditions. The memory corruption can result in arbitrary code execution when the attacker can control the memory layout and redirect program execution flow to malicious payloads injected during the file processing phase.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-42935 extends beyond simple memory corruption, as it provides a potential pathway for full system compromise when combined with other vulnerabilities or attack vectors. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could execute code within the security context of the DesignReview.exe process, potentially gaining access to sensitive system resources, data, or network capabilities. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, where malicious code execution could be leveraged to establish persistent access or escalate privileges within the compromised environment. The attack surface is particularly wide given that DesignReview.exe is commonly used in engineering and architectural environments where file sharing and collaboration are frequent activities.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate application patching and process isolation measures. Organizations should prioritize applying vendor patches as soon as they become available, as the vulnerability affects core application functionality and presents a direct path to code execution. Network segmentation and application whitelisting can help limit the potential impact by preventing unauthorized file processing or execution of malicious files. Additionally, implementing strict file validation protocols, using sandboxing techniques for file processing, and monitoring for suspicious memory access patterns can provide additional layers of defense. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices and input validation, particularly for applications that process complex binary file formats, and underscores the need for regular security assessments of third-party applications that handle user-provided content.