CVE-2024-7992 in AutoCAD
Summary
by MITRE • 10/30/2024
A maliciously crafted DWG file, when parsed through Autodesk AutoCAD and certain AutoCAD-based products, can force a Stack-based Buffer Overflow. A malicious actor can leverage this vulnerability to cause a crash, read sensitive data, or execute arbitrary code in the context of the current process.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/12/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-7992 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw within Autodesk AutoCAD and its AutoCAD-based product ecosystem. This vulnerability specifically manifests when processing maliciously crafted DWG files, which are the native file format used by Autodesk's computer-aided design software. The flaw resides in the parsing mechanism responsible for interpreting DWG file structures, where insufficient bounds checking allows an attacker to manipulate memory layout through carefully constructed file content. Such buffer overflow conditions create opportunities for attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations on the stack, potentially leading to unpredictable behavior and system compromise.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability leverages the inherent parsing logic within AutoCAD's DWG file handler to trigger a stack-based buffer overflow condition. When a malicious DWG file is opened or processed, the application's memory management routines fail to properly validate input data sizes against allocated buffer boundaries. This weakness stems from inadequate input sanitization and memory boundary validation, allowing attackers to craft file content that exceeds expected buffer limits. The flaw operates at the application layer where AutoCAD processes file metadata, object structures, and drawing elements, making it particularly dangerous given the widespread use of AutoCAD in engineering and architectural environments where sensitive design data resides.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-7992 extends beyond simple application crashes to encompass potential remote code execution capabilities and data exposure risks. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability can cause the targeted AutoCAD process to crash, leading to denial of service conditions that disrupt critical design workflows. More concerning is the potential for arbitrary code execution within the context of the current process, which could enable attackers to escalate privileges and gain unauthorized access to sensitive design information. The vulnerability particularly affects environments where AutoCAD is used for critical infrastructure design, manufacturing processes, or architectural planning where the exposure of proprietary designs could result in significant financial and competitive losses.
Organizations utilizing AutoCAD and related products should implement immediate mitigations including applying available vendor patches and updates as soon as they become available through Autodesk's security channels. Network segmentation and access controls should be reinforced to limit exposure of AutoCAD systems to untrusted file sources, while implementing automated file validation mechanisms to detect potentially malicious DWG files before they reach end-user systems. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual AutoCAD process behavior, including unexpected crashes, memory access patterns, or unusual network activity that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, regular security awareness training for design and engineering teams should emphasize the risks of opening untrusted DWG files and the importance of validating file sources before processing. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-121 stack-based buffer overflow classification and represents a potential ATT&CK technique for code execution and privilege escalation within targeted environments.