CVE-2024-8595 in AutoCAD
Summary
by MITRE • 10/30/2024
A maliciously crafted MODEL file when parsed in libodxdll.dll through Autodesk AutoCAD can force a Use-After-Free vulnerability. A malicious actor can leverage this vulnerability to cause a crash, write sensitive data, or execute arbitrary code in the context of the current process.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/02/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-8595 represents a critical use-after-free flaw within the libodxdll.dll library component of Autodesk AutoCAD software. This vulnerability arises when the application processes a maliciously crafted MODEL file, creating a dangerous scenario where memory previously freed by the program is accessed again by subsequent operations. The technical nature of this flaw places it firmly within the CWE-416 category of use-after-free conditions, which are among the most dangerous memory safety vulnerabilities due to their potential for arbitrary code execution and system compromise. The vulnerability specifically affects Autodesk AutoCAD's handling of 3D model files through the libodxdll.dll dynamic link library, making it particularly concerning for users who frequently work with complex CAD drawings and models.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple application instability, as it provides malicious actors with multiple attack vectors for system exploitation. When a user opens a specially crafted MODEL file, the program's memory management fails to properly track the lifecycle of allocated memory blocks, leading to a scenario where freed memory locations are accessed by subsequent operations. This creates opportunities for attackers to either cause application crashes that disrupt workflow, write arbitrary data to memory locations that could corrupt sensitive information, or more dangerously execute malicious code within the AutoCAD process context. The privilege level of execution remains tied to the current user account, meaning that successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise if the user has elevated privileges. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where AutoCAD is widely deployed.
The exploitation of this vulnerability requires a sophisticated understanding of memory management and binary exploitation techniques, as attackers must craft MODEL files that trigger specific memory allocation and deallocation sequences. The use-after-free condition typically occurs when an application maintains references to memory after it has been freed, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate the freed memory contents before the program attempts to access it again. In the context of AutoCAD, this means that the malicious MODEL file must be carefully constructed to cause the libodxdll.dll library to allocate memory for certain model elements, then free that memory during processing, and finally access the freed memory in a way that allows code execution. This type of vulnerability is particularly challenging to defend against because it operates at the memory level and can be difficult to detect through traditional signature-based approaches. Organizations using AutoCAD should consider implementing application whitelisting policies, network segmentation to limit file transfer capabilities, and regular security updates to protect against this and similar vulnerabilities. The vulnerability underscores the importance of secure coding practices and memory safety mechanisms, particularly in complex CAD software where users may encounter untrusted files from various sources including cloud storage, email attachments, or third-party vendors.