Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2021-46577 is a high-severity code execution flaw in Bentley MicroStation CONNECT 10.16.0.80. A victim must open a malicious JT file or visit a malicious page. If exploited, attacker-controlled code can run with the current user's privileges, threatening design workstations and project files.
Executive priority
Prioritize remediation for engineering and design users who exchange JT files externally. The issue is not described as remotely wormable, but successful exploitation could compromise sensitive project data through routine file-opening workflows.
Technical view
The flaw is a CWE-122 heap-based buffer overflow in JT file parsing. The parser lacks proper validation of user-supplied length data before copying into a heap buffer. CVSS v3.0 is 7.8, with no privileges required, user interaction required, and high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact.
Likely exposure
Exposure is most likely on workstations running Bentley MicroStation CONNECT 10.16.0.80 that open JT files from email, web downloads, shared project repositories, or external partners.
Exploitation context
The source bundle does not show CISA KEV listing or confirmed active exploitation. Exploitation requires social engineering or file delivery that causes a user to open malicious content.
Researcher notes
Evidence supports a JT parser heap overflow in MicroStation CONNECT 10.16.0.80, originally tracked as ZDI-CAN-15371. The bundle does not include exploit proof, active exploitation evidence, or a specific fixed version.
Mitigation direction
- Check Bentley advisory BE-2021-0005 for the vendor-supported fixed version or remediation guidance.
- Upgrade affected MicroStation CONNECT 10.16.0.80 installations according to Bentley guidance.
- Block or quarantine untrusted JT files at email, web, and file-sharing boundaries.
- Limit MicroStation use to least-privileged user accounts where operationally feasible.
- Open externally supplied engineering files only in controlled or isolated environments.
Validation and detection
- Inventory Bentley MicroStation CONNECT versions and identify any 10.16.0.80 installations.
- Confirm whether affected systems handle JT files from external or untrusted sources.
- Review email, web, and file-transfer logs for unexpected JT attachments or downloads.
- Verify endpoint controls monitor MicroStation child processes and abnormal crashes.
- Document whether Bentley’s advisory remediation has been applied.
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
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ATT&CK lookup starting points
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CWE-122: Exact CWE lookup
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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-2021-46577 mapping review
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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-22-164/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.
Heap-based Buffer Overflow
Heap-based Buffer Overflow represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.