CVE-2021-34919
📋 TL;DR
CVE-2021-34919 is a use-after-free vulnerability in Bentley View's JP2 file parser that allows remote code execution. Attackers can exploit this by tricking users into opening malicious JP2 files or visiting malicious web pages. Affected users include anyone running vulnerable versions of Bentley View software.
💻 Affected Systems
- Bentley View
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete system compromise with attacker gaining the same privileges as the current user, potentially leading to data theft, ransomware deployment, or lateral movement within the network.
Likely Case
Local privilege escalation or arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user, enabling data exfiltration, persistence mechanisms, or credential harvesting.
If Mitigated
Limited impact with proper application sandboxing and user privilege restrictions, potentially resulting in application crash but no code execution.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires user interaction but has low technical complexity once malicious file is opened; weaponization likely due to RCE potential.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Bentley View 10.16.0.77 and later
Vendor Advisory: https://www.bentley.com/en/common-vulnerability-exposure/BE-2021-0008
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Download latest Bentley View version from official Bentley website. 2. Run installer with administrative privileges. 3. Restart system after installation completes.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable JP2 file association
windowsRemove Bentley View as default handler for .jp2 files to prevent automatic exploitation
Control Panel > Default Programs > Associate a file type or protocol with a program > Select .jp2 > Change program
Application sandboxing
windowsRun Bentley View with reduced privileges using application control solutions
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict email filtering to block JP2 attachments
- Deploy endpoint detection with behavioral analysis for suspicious process creation
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Bentley View version in Help > About; versions 10.15.0.75 and earlier are vulnerableCheck Version:
Not applicable - check via GUI Help > About menuVerify Fix Applied:
Verify version is 10.16.0.77 or later in Help > About dialog📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unexpected process creation from Bentley View executable
- Application crashes with memory access violations
Network Indicators:
- Outbound connections from Bentley View to unknown IPs
- Unusual network traffic patterns following JP2 file access
SIEM Query:
Process Creation where Parent Process contains 'bentley' AND Command Line contains '.jp2'