CVE-2023-27914 – A stack buffer overflow vulnerability in Autode... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2023-27914?

CVE-2023-27914 has a CVSS score of 7.8 (HIGH). A stack buffer overflow vulnerability in Autodesk AutoCAD 2023 allows attackers to execute arbitrary code or read sensitive data by tricking users into opening malicious X_B files. This affects AutoCAD 2023 users who open untrusted files. The vulnerability requires user interaction but can lead to full system compromise.

📋 TL;DR

A stack buffer overflow vulnerability in Autodesk AutoCAD 2023 allows attackers to execute arbitrary code or read sensitive data by tricking users into opening malicious X_B files. This affects AutoCAD 2023 users who open untrusted files. The vulnerability requires user interaction but can lead to full system compromise.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

Autodesk AutoCAD 2023

Versions: 2023 versions prior to the security update

Operating Systems: Windows, macOS

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: All AutoCAD 2023 installations are vulnerable until patched. Requires user to open malicious X_B file.

📦 What is this software?

⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

🔴

Worst Case

Remote code execution with current user privileges, potentially leading to full system compromise, data theft, or ransomware deployment.

🟠

Likely Case

Application crash or limited data disclosure when users open malicious files from untrusted sources.

🟢

If Mitigated

No impact if users only open trusted files and proper security controls are in place.

🌐 Internet-Facing: MEDIUM - Requires user to download and open malicious file, but common in engineering workflows.

🏢 Internal Only: MEDIUM - Internal users could be tricked via phishing or shared drives.

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: UNKNOWN

Unauthenticated Exploit: ✅ No

Complexity: MEDIUM

Exploitation requires user interaction to open malicious file. No public exploits known at advisory time.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: AutoCAD 2023 with security update from May 2023

Vendor Advisory: https://www.autodesk.com/trust/security-advisories/adsk-sa-2023-0005

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

1. Open AutoCAD 2023. 2. Go to Help > About. 3. Check for updates. 4. Install available security updates. 5. Restart AutoCAD.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Block X_B file extensions

windows

Prevent AutoCAD from opening X_B files via group policy or application restrictions.

Not applicable - configure via Group Policy or application whitelisting

User awareness training

all

Train users to only open X_B files from trusted sources.

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Restrict user permissions to limit impact of potential code execution
Implement application whitelisting to prevent unauthorized executables

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check AutoCAD version: Open AutoCAD, go to Help > About, verify version is 2023 without May 2023 security updates.

Check Version:

In AutoCAD: Help > About

Verify Fix Applied:

Verify AutoCAD version includes May 2023 security updates in About dialog.

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Application crashes from AutoCAD.exe
Unusual process creation from AutoCAD

Network Indicators:

Downloads of X_B files from untrusted sources

SIEM Query:

Process:AutoCAD.exe AND (EventID:1000 OR ParentImage:*AutoCAD*)

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2023-27914

CVSS v3 Score: 7.8 (HIGH)

CVSS Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CWE: CWE-787

Published: April 14, 2023

Last Updated: February 6, 2025

🔗 References

https://www.autodesk.com/trust/security-advisories/adsk-sa-2023-0005 Vendor Advisory
https://www.autodesk.com/trust/security-advisories/adsk-sa-2023-0005 Vendor Advisory

📤 Share & Export

📄 Export Markdown 📋 Export JSON

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