Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
Autodesk Navisworks 2019 through 2022 can be compromised by a malicious DWG file. If a user opens or previews the file in an affected version, the flaw may allow arbitrary code execution. The source bundle does not provide CVSS scoring, confirmed exploitation, or fixed-version details.
Executive priority
Prioritize remediation for engineering, construction, and design teams that routinely exchange DWG files externally. Business urgency is highest where Navisworks runs on workstations with sensitive project access or broad network privileges.
Technical view
CVE-2021-40156 is an out-of-bounds write condition in Autodesk Navisworks DWG parsing. The CVE states that crafted DWG input can force writes beyond allocated boundaries and may lead to arbitrary code execution. Affected versions listed are Navisworks 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022.
Likely exposure
Exposure is likely where Autodesk Navisworks 2019-2022 is installed and used to process DWG files, especially files received from clients, suppliers, project partners, or public sources. Systems without these versions, or without DWG file handling workflows, are not indicated as affected by the provided sources.
Exploitation context
The described attack path is malicious file parsing. The provided sources do not state that exploitation is active in the wild, and the CVE is not marked in CISA KEV in the source bundle. Treat exploitation status as unconfirmed.
Researcher notes
Evidence is limited to the CVE description and Autodesk advisory reference in the source bundle. No CVSS vector, CWE, fixed version, or exploitation confirmation is included. Analysis should avoid assuming more than crafted DWG parsing leading to potential arbitrary code execution.
Mitigation direction
- Check Autodesk advisory ADSK-SA-2021-0009 for fixed builds or vendor instructions.
- Upgrade or remove affected Navisworks 2019-2022 installations where feasible.
- Restrict opening DWG files from untrusted or unexpected sources.
- Route external DWG files through established malware scanning and intake controls.
- Educate project teams to verify DWG provenance before opening files.
Validation and detection
- Inventory endpoints for Autodesk Navisworks 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022.
- Confirm which teams receive DWG files from external parties.
- Compare installed versions against Autodesk advisory ADSK-SA-2021-0009.
- Review EDR and email telemetry for suspicious DWG delivery patterns.
- Document exceptions where affected versions must remain in use.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.
ATT&CK lookup starting points
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
Execution behavior lookup
The CVE wording references code or command execution, so execution technique review may help defensive triage. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2021-40156 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- Unknown
- CVSS
- Not scored
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5
These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.
CVSS and timeline data
No CVSS vectors or timeline events were available in the normalized CVE source material.
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://www.autodesk.com/trust/security-advisories/adsk-sa-2021-0009CVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.