CVE-2021-43275 : What You Need to Know

A Use After Free vulnerability exists in the DGN file reading procedure in Open Design Alliance Drawings SDK before 2022.8, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code.

Understanding CVE-2021-43275

What is CVE-2021-43275?

This CVE describes a Use After Free vulnerability in the DGN file reading process of Open Design Alliance Drawings SDK before version 2022.8. The vulnerability arises from not validating the existence of an object before performing operations on it, enabling an attacker to run malicious code within the current process.

The Impact of CVE-2021-43275

Exploitation of this vulnerability can result in arbitrary code execution within the context of the affected process, potentially leading to system compromise or unauthorized access.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-43275

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability stems from a lack of proper validation of object existence before executing operations, which can be exploited by attackers.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Open Design Alliance Drawings SDK
Versions affected: Before 2022.8

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can leverage this vulnerability by sending specially crafted DGN files to trigger the Use After Free condition and execute arbitrary code.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Update to the latest version of Open Design Alliance Drawings SDK (2022.8 or later).
Avoid opening DGN files from untrusted sources.
Implement least privilege permissions for system processes.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and libraries to patch known vulnerabilities.
Conduct security code reviews to identify and rectify similar issues in the codebase.
Employ network monitoring and intrusion detection systems to detect and mitigate potential attacks.

Patching and Updates

Ensure timely installation of security patches and updates provided by the Open Design Alliance to address the Use After Free vulnerability.