Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2021-46574 is a high-severity code execution flaw in Bentley MicroStation CONNECT 10.16.0.80. A user would need to open a malicious JT file or visit a malicious page. If successful, the attacker could run code with the user's privileges on the workstation.
Executive priority
Treat this as a high-priority workstation risk for CAD-heavy environments. It is not described as remotely exploitable without user action, but successful exploitation could compromise sensitive design workstations and project data.
Technical view
The flaw is an out-of-bounds write, CWE-787, in MicroStation CONNECT's JT file parsing. Crafted JT data can write past an allocated buffer and enable arbitrary code execution in the current process. CVSS is 7.8 with local attack vector and required user interaction.
Likely exposure
Exposure is most likely on engineering, design, or CAD workstations running Bentley MicroStation CONNECT 10.16.0.80, especially where users receive JT files from external parties or browse project portals containing untrusted design content.
Exploitation context
The source bundle does not show CISA KEV listing or active exploitation evidence. Exploitation requires user interaction, either opening a malicious file or visiting a malicious page, so phishing and project-file exchange are the main concern areas.
Researcher notes
Evidence is limited to CVE, Bentley, and ZDI references in the source bundle. Do not assume broader Bentley product impact, exploit availability, or fixed versions unless confirmed in vendor guidance. The original ZDI case was ZDI-CAN-15368.
Mitigation direction
- Identify and prioritize MicroStation CONNECT 10.16.0.80 systems.
- Review Bentley advisory BE-2021-0005 for supported fixes or mitigations.
- Apply Bentley-supported updates where applicable.
- Restrict opening JT files from untrusted sources.
- Use endpoint controls to isolate high-risk CAD file workflows.
Validation and detection
- Inventory installed MicroStation CONNECT versions across CAD workstations.
- Confirm whether any systems run version 10.16.0.80.
- Check Bentley advisory BE-2021-0005 against installed builds.
- Review JT file intake sources and external sharing workflows.
- Verify endpoint monitoring covers MicroStation process activity.
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.
CWE-787: Exact CWE lookup
Use the exact CWE identifier as the starting point before reviewing related ATT&CK behavior. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupExecution 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-2021-46574 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
- High
- CVSS
- 7.8 (3.0)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
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 vector scores
1 official scoreWe collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.
CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H1.85.9Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.0 score
7.8HighVector: CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://www.bentley.com/en/common-vulnerability-exposure/BE-2021-0005CVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
- https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-22-161/CVE 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.
Out-of-bounds Write
Out-of-bounds Write represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.