CVE-2026-16465 in AutoCAD
Summary
by MITRE • 07/29/2026
A maliciously crafted DWG or DXF file, when parsed through Autodesk AutoCAD, can force an Out-of-Bounds Read vulnerability. A malicious actor can leverage this vulnerability to cause a crash or disclose sensitive information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/30/2026
This vulnerability represents a critical memory safety issue affecting Autodesk AutoCAD software that processes computer-aided design files in DWG and DXF formats. The flaw manifests as an out-of-bounds read condition during the parsing of malformed design files, where the application fails to properly validate buffer boundaries when processing specific file structures. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-129, which specifically addresses insufficient validation of length of inputs, and can be classified as a memory corruption vulnerability that may lead to arbitrary code execution or information disclosure. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input sanitization mechanisms within the AutoCAD parsing engine that does not properly verify array indices or buffer limits when interpreting design file metadata.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple application instability, as it provides malicious actors with potential pathways for system compromise through carefully crafted malicious files. When AutoCAD attempts to parse a specially constructed DWG or DXF file, the out-of-bounds read can trigger memory corruption that results in application crashes or, more critically, allows attackers to extract sensitive data from adjacent memory regions. This information disclosure capability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1005, which covers data from local system, and represents a significant risk for environments where AutoCAD is used to process untrusted design files from external sources.
The exploitation of this vulnerability typically requires social engineering to convince users to open maliciously crafted files, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where design collaboration involves external partners or third-party vendors. Attackers can leverage this flaw to perform reconnaissance activities by extracting memory contents that may contain sensitive information such as file paths, system credentials, or application state data. The vulnerability's impact is amplified in networked environments where AutoCAD files are frequently shared and downloaded from untrusted sources, creating multiple attack vectors for exploitation.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate software updates from Autodesk to address the parsing logic flaws, along with implementing strict file validation policies for design files received from external sources. Organizations should deploy file filtering mechanisms that scan incoming design files for suspicious structures and maintain network segmentation to limit potential lateral movement if exploitation occurs. Additionally, user awareness training regarding the dangers of opening untrusted design files and implementing principle of least privilege access controls can significantly reduce the risk surface. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation in CAD software applications and highlights the need for robust memory safety practices in industrial control systems where file format parsing is critical to operational functionality.