CVE-2022-42944 is a high-severity memory corruption vulnerability affecting multiple legacy versions of Autodesk Design Review (versions 2011, 2012, 2013, 2017, and 2018). The vulnerability arises when the application processes specially crafted .dwf or .pct files, leading to a read access violation that causes memory corruption. This flaw is classified under CWE-787 (Out-of-bounds Write), indicating that the application improperly handles memory boundaries during file parsing. While the immediate effect is a read access violation, the vulnerability can be chained with other exploits to achieve arbitrary code execution within the context of the current user 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), no privileges required (PR:N), but user interaction is necessary (UI:R). The vulnerability does not currently have known exploits in the wild, but the potential for exploitation exists, especially in environments where untrusted .dwf or .pct files are opened. Autodesk Design Review is a specialized viewer for design files, commonly used in engineering, architecture, and construction sectors to review design documents without full CAD software. The affected versions are legacy and may still be in use in organizations that rely on older software for compatibility reasons. The absence of official patches or updates linked in the provided information suggests that mitigation may require alternative approaches such as restricting file sources or upgrading to newer, unaffected software versions.

For European organizations, particularly those in engineering, architecture, construction, and manufacturing sectors, this vulnerability poses a significant risk. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized code execution, potentially allowing attackers to compromise sensitive design intellectual property, disrupt project workflows, or pivot within internal networks. Given the high confidentiality and integrity impact, attackers could exfiltrate proprietary design data or alter files, leading to financial loss and reputational damage. The requirement for local access and user interaction limits remote exploitation but does not eliminate risk, especially in environments where users may receive malicious files via email or shared drives. Additionally, legacy software usage is common in industries with long project lifecycles, increasing exposure. The lack of known exploits in the wild reduces immediate threat but does not preclude targeted attacks or future exploit development. Organizations handling critical infrastructure projects or government contracts involving design files may face heightened risk due to the strategic value of the data.

1. Upgrade: Transition from affected Autodesk Design Review versions to the latest supported versions or alternative secure viewers that have addressed this vulnerability. 2. File Handling Policies: Implement strict controls on the sources of .dwf and .pct files, including email filtering, sandboxing, and user training to avoid opening files from untrusted or unknown origins. 3. Application Whitelisting: Restrict execution of DesignReview.exe to authorized users and environments, minimizing exposure. 4. Network Segmentation: Isolate systems running legacy Autodesk Design Review to limit lateral movement in case of compromise. 5. Monitoring and Incident Response: Deploy endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools to monitor for anomalous behavior related to DesignReview.exe processes. 6. Virtualization/Sandboxing: Open untrusted design files in isolated virtual machines or sandbox environments to prevent host compromise. 7. Vendor Engagement: Engage with Autodesk support channels to confirm patch availability or recommended remediation steps, as no official patches were linked. 8. Legacy Software Management: Develop a plan to phase out unsupported software versions to reduce attack surface over time.