CVE-2022-42933 is a high-severity memory corruption vulnerability affecting multiple legacy versions of Autodesk Design Review (2011, 2012, 2013, 2017, and 2018). The vulnerability arises from improper handling of specially crafted .dwf or .pct files when opened by the DesignReview.exe application. Specifically, the flaw is a write access violation leading to memory corruption (classified under CWE-787: Out-of-bounds Write). This memory corruption can potentially be exploited to alter the program's control flow and, in conjunction with other vulnerabilities, may enable an attacker to execute arbitrary code within the context of the current user process. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 7.8, indicating a high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The attack vector is local (AV:L), requiring low privileges (PR:L) but no user interaction (UI:N). Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the vulnerability poses a significant risk due to the possibility of code execution and the widespread use of Autodesk Design Review in engineering and architectural workflows. The lack of available patches or updates for these older versions increases the risk for organizations still relying on them. The vulnerability’s exploitation requires the victim to open a maliciously crafted file, which could be delivered via email or shared network resources, making it a plausible attack vector in targeted environments.

For European organizations, especially those in engineering, construction, manufacturing, and architecture sectors that heavily rely on Autodesk Design Review for reviewing and annotating design files, this vulnerability could lead to severe consequences. Exploitation could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code, potentially leading to data theft, unauthorized access to intellectual property, disruption of design workflows, or lateral movement within corporate networks. Given the high confidentiality and integrity impact, sensitive design documents and proprietary information could be compromised. Additionally, availability impacts could disrupt critical project timelines. The local attack vector and low privilege requirement mean that insider threats or compromised user accounts could be leveraged to exploit this vulnerability. The absence of patches for affected versions increases the risk for organizations that have not upgraded to newer software or alternative solutions.

European organizations should prioritize upgrading Autodesk Design Review to the latest supported versions where this vulnerability is addressed or consider alternative secure tools for design review workflows. If upgrading is not immediately feasible, organizations should implement strict file handling policies, including disabling the opening of .dwf and .pct files from untrusted sources and enforcing network segmentation to limit exposure. Endpoint protection solutions should be configured to detect and block suspicious file activities related to DesignReview.exe. User privileges should be minimized to reduce the risk of exploitation, and application whitelisting can help prevent unauthorized execution of malicious files. Regular security awareness training should emphasize the risks of opening files from unknown or untrusted origins. Additionally, monitoring for anomalous behavior in systems running Autodesk Design Review can help detect potential exploitation attempts early. Organizations should also maintain up-to-date backups of critical design data to mitigate the impact of potential attacks.