CVE-2022-45332 is a high-severity heap buffer overflow vulnerability identified in LibreDWG version 0.12.4.4643. The flaw exists within the function decode_preR13_section_hdr located in the decode_r11.c source file. LibreDWG is an open-source C library designed to handle DWG files, which are proprietary file formats used primarily by AutoCAD and other CAD software for storing 2D and 3D design data. The vulnerability arises when the decode_preR13_section_hdr function improperly processes certain sections of DWG files, leading to a heap buffer overflow condition. This type of memory corruption can allow an attacker to overwrite adjacent memory on the heap, potentially enabling arbitrary code execution, data corruption, or application crashes. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 7.8, indicating a high severity level. The vector string (AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H) reveals that the attack requires local access (AV:L), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges (PR:N), but does require user interaction (UI:R). The scope is unchanged (S:U), and the impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is high (C:H/I:H/A:H). There are no known exploits in the wild at the time of publication, and no official patches have been linked, which may indicate that remediation is pending or that users must apply manual mitigations or updates from the LibreDWG project. Given the nature of the vulnerability, exploitation would likely involve convincing a user to open or process a specially crafted malicious DWG file locally, triggering the overflow during file parsing. This makes it a significant risk for environments where LibreDWG is used to handle DWG files, especially in CAD workflows or automated processing pipelines that accept untrusted input files.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2022-45332 can be substantial, particularly for those in engineering, architecture, manufacturing, and construction sectors that rely on CAD software and associated libraries like LibreDWG for design and documentation workflows. Successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution on affected systems, resulting in data breaches, intellectual property theft, or disruption of critical design processes. The high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability means that sensitive design files could be corrupted or exfiltrated, and systems could be rendered unstable or unusable. Additionally, organizations that integrate LibreDWG into automated document processing or conversion tools may face increased risk, as malicious files could be introduced via email attachments, file shares, or external partners. The requirement for local access and user interaction somewhat limits remote exploitation but does not eliminate risk, especially in environments where users routinely open DWG files from external sources. The lack of known exploits in the wild reduces immediate threat but does not preclude future active exploitation, underscoring the need for proactive mitigation. Overall, the vulnerability poses a notable threat to the confidentiality and operational continuity of European organizations dependent on CAD workflows involving LibreDWG.

1. Immediate mitigation should focus on restricting the opening or processing of DWG files from untrusted or unknown sources to minimize exposure to crafted malicious files. 2. Implement strict file validation and scanning at email gateways and endpoint security solutions to detect and block suspicious DWG files before they reach end users. 3. Where feasible, isolate systems that handle DWG files in segmented network zones with limited user privileges to contain potential exploitation impact. 4. Monitor and audit usage of LibreDWG libraries within internal tools and workflows to identify and control access points. 5. Engage with the LibreDWG project or community to obtain updates or patches addressing this vulnerability and apply them promptly once available. 6. Educate users on the risks of opening DWG files from unverified sources and encourage verification of file origins. 7. Consider deploying application whitelisting or sandboxing techniques for applications that utilize LibreDWG to limit the execution of arbitrary code resulting from exploitation. 8. For organizations developing custom software using LibreDWG, conduct code reviews and implement additional input validation around DWG file parsing functions to mitigate overflow risks. These targeted measures go beyond generic advice by focusing on controlling the specific attack vector (malicious DWG files) and the unique usage context of LibreDWG in CAD-related environments.