CVE-2021-27046
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a memory corruption vulnerability in Autodesk Navisworks PDF file processing that could allow remote code execution. Attackers can exploit this by tricking users into opening malicious PDF files containing crafted DLL payloads. Users of affected Navisworks versions are at risk.
💻 Affected Systems
- Autodesk Navisworks
📦 What is this software?
Navisworks by Autodesk
Navisworks by Autodesk
Navisworks by Autodesk
Navisworks by Autodesk
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Full system compromise with attacker gaining the same privileges as the Navisworks user, potentially leading to data theft, ransomware deployment, or lateral movement within networks.
Likely Case
Local privilege escalation or arbitrary code execution within the context of the Navisworks application, potentially leading to data exfiltration or further system compromise.
If Mitigated
Limited impact with proper application sandboxing, user privilege restrictions, and network segmentation preventing lateral movement.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires user interaction (opening malicious PDF) and knowledge of DLL hijacking techniques. No public exploits confirmed.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Update to latest version per vendor advisory
Vendor Advisory: https://www.autodesk.com/trust/security-advisories/adsk-sa-2021-0008
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Open Autodesk Navisworks. 2. Navigate to Help > About. 3. Check current version. 4. Download and install latest update from Autodesk website. 5. Restart computer after installation.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict PDF file handling
windowsConfigure Navisworks to not automatically process PDF files or use alternative PDF viewers
User awareness training
allTrain users to only open PDF files from trusted sources and verify file integrity
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement application whitelisting to prevent unauthorized DLL execution
- Run Navisworks with minimal user privileges and in isolated environments
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Navisworks version in Help > About menu. If version is 2019-2022 without latest security updates, system is vulnerable.Check Version:
Not applicable - check via GUI Help > About menuVerify Fix Applied:
Verify Navisworks version is updated beyond vulnerable versions listed in vendor advisory.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual process creation from Navisworks.exe
- Failed DLL loading attempts
- Unexpected network connections from Navisworks process
Network Indicators:
- Outbound connections from Navisworks to unknown IPs
- DNS queries for suspicious domains from Navisworks host
SIEM Query:
Process Creation: ParentImage contains 'navisworks.exe' AND (CommandLine contains '.dll' OR Image contains suspicious paths)