CVE-2022-42934 is a high-severity memory corruption vulnerability affecting multiple legacy versions of Autodesk Design Review, specifically versions 2011, 2012, 2013, 2017, and 2018. The vulnerability arises when the application processes specially crafted .dwf or .pct files, which can trigger a write access violation leading to memory corruption. This vulnerability is classified under CWE-787 (Out-of-bounds Write). While the immediate effect is memory corruption, the vulnerability could be chained with other exploits to achieve arbitrary code execution within the context of the DesignReview.exe process. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 7.8, reflecting high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, with an attack vector requiring local access (AV:L), low attack complexity (AC:L), low privileges (PR:L), and no user interaction (UI:N). The scope is unchanged (S:U), meaning the impact is limited to the vulnerable component. No public exploits are currently known in the wild, and no patches have been linked, indicating that affected organizations may still be exposed if they continue to use these outdated versions. Autodesk Design Review is used primarily for viewing and annotating DWF files, common in engineering and architectural workflows, making this vulnerability particularly relevant to organizations handling CAD data.

For European organizations, the impact of this vulnerability could be significant, especially for those in engineering, architecture, construction, and manufacturing sectors that rely on Autodesk Design Review for design collaboration and review. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized code execution, potentially allowing attackers to escalate privileges, exfiltrate sensitive intellectual property, or disrupt operations by causing application crashes or system instability. Given the vulnerability requires local access and low privileges, initial access vectors might include phishing, social engineering, or insider threats. The lack of user interaction requirement increases the risk of automated exploitation once local access is achieved. The confidentiality and integrity of sensitive design files and related data could be compromised, impacting business continuity and competitive advantage. Additionally, disruption of design review processes could delay project timelines and increase costs. The absence of patches means organizations must rely on compensating controls until updates or mitigations are available.

1. Immediate mitigation should focus on restricting access to systems running affected versions of Autodesk Design Review, limiting usage to trusted users only. 2. Implement strict endpoint security controls, including application whitelisting and behavior monitoring, to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. 3. Enforce network segmentation to isolate design review workstations from broader corporate networks, reducing lateral movement risk. 4. Educate users on the risks of opening untrusted .dwf or .pct files, and implement file scanning and validation mechanisms at email gateways and file servers. 5. Where possible, upgrade to newer, supported versions of Autodesk Design Review or alternative software that do not contain this vulnerability. 6. Monitor for unusual process behavior or crashes related to DesignReview.exe as potential indicators of exploitation. 7. Maintain robust backup and recovery procedures to mitigate impact of potential data corruption or ransomware attacks leveraging this vulnerability. 8. Engage with Autodesk support channels to obtain any forthcoming patches or official guidance.