CVE-2025-6636 is a high-severity Use-After-Free (UAF) vulnerability identified in Autodesk Shared Components, specifically affecting version 2026.2. The vulnerability arises when a maliciously crafted PRT file is parsed by certain Autodesk products that rely on these shared components. A Use-After-Free flaw occurs when a program continues to use memory after it has been freed, leading to undefined behavior. In this case, the vulnerability can be exploited by an attacker to cause a program crash (denial of service), read sensitive information from memory (confidentiality breach), or execute arbitrary code within the context of the affected process (integrity and availability compromise). The CVSS 3.1 score of 7.8 reflects a high severity, with the vector indicating that the attack requires local access (AV:L), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (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). Although no known exploits are reported in the wild yet, the vulnerability presents a significant risk due to the potential for remote code execution and data leakage. The lack of available patches at the time of publication increases the urgency for mitigation. Autodesk Shared Components are integral to multiple Autodesk products, which are widely used in engineering, architecture, and manufacturing sectors. The parsing of PRT files is a common operation in CAD workflows, making this vulnerability particularly relevant to users handling such files. Exploitation requires the victim to open or process a malicious PRT file, which could be delivered via phishing, supply chain compromise, or insider threats.

For European organizations, especially those in engineering, manufacturing, architecture, and construction sectors that rely heavily on Autodesk products, this vulnerability poses a critical risk. Successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive design data, intellectual property theft, and disruption of critical design and production workflows. This could result in financial losses, reputational damage, and potential regulatory penalties under GDPR if personal or sensitive data is exposed. The ability to execute arbitrary code also raises the risk of further network compromise, lateral movement, and persistence within corporate environments. Given the widespread use of Autodesk software in Europe, including in critical infrastructure projects and large industrial enterprises, the impact could be substantial. The requirement for local access and user interaction somewhat limits remote exploitation but does not eliminate risk, as attackers could leverage social engineering or insider threats to deliver malicious PRT files. The absence of known exploits in the wild currently provides a window for proactive defense, but organizations should not be complacent given the high severity and potential impact.

European organizations should implement a multi-layered mitigation approach: 1) Restrict and monitor the handling of PRT files, especially from untrusted sources. Implement strict email filtering and sandboxing to detect and block malicious attachments. 2) Educate users on the risks of opening unsolicited or suspicious PRT files, emphasizing the need for caution and verification before opening files. 3) Employ application whitelisting and endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to detect anomalous behavior indicative of exploitation attempts. 4) Isolate Autodesk software environments where possible, using virtual machines or containerization to limit the impact of potential exploitation. 5) Maintain up-to-date backups of critical design data to enable recovery in case of disruption. 6) Monitor Autodesk and vendor channels closely for patches or updates addressing CVE-2025-6636 and apply them promptly once available. 7) Conduct regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing focused on CAD environments to identify and remediate related weaknesses. 8) Implement strict access controls and network segmentation to limit the spread of compromise if exploitation occurs.