Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
A malicious JT file or web page could cause Bentley MicroStation CONNECT 10.16.0.80 to run code as the user who opens it. This is not described as automatic network compromise; user interaction is required. Impact can include data theft, file tampering, or workstation disruption.
Executive priority
Treat this as high priority for engineering, design, and CAD environments that exchange external 3D files. It is user-assisted rather than remotely self-spreading, so urgency depends on exposure to untrusted JT content and whether affected MicroStation versions remain deployed.
Technical view
CVE-2021-46578 is a JT file parsing flaw in Bentley MicroStation CONNECT 10.16.0.80. The issue is mapped to CWE-416 and described as missing validation of an object's existence before operations, enabling code execution in the current process. CVSS is 7.8, high severity, with UI required.
Likely exposure
Exposure is most likely in organizations running Bentley MicroStation CONNECT 10.16.0.80, especially teams that receive or review JT files from customers, suppliers, contractors, or external project partners. The source bundle does not identify additional affected versions or products.
Exploitation context
The bundle states exploitation requires the target to visit a malicious page or open a malicious file. CISA KEV status is false, and the provided sources do not state active exploitation in the wild.
Researcher notes
Public details name ZDI-CAN-15372 and ZDI-22-165. The CVSS vector is AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. The provided bundle does not include exploit code, weaponization details, or a confirmed fixed version, so remediation should track Bentley's advisory.
Mitigation direction
- Check Bentley advisory BE-2021-0005 for the supported remediation path.
- Prioritize updating or replacing MicroStation CONNECT 10.16.0.80 where deployed.
- Restrict opening JT files from untrusted or unexpected sources.
- Use least-privilege workstation accounts for CAD users.
- Apply endpoint detection and email/web filtering for suspicious file delivery.
Validation and detection
- Inventory Bentley MicroStation CONNECT installations and versions.
- Identify users or systems that handle JT files.
- Compare deployed versions with Bentley advisory BE-2021-0005.
- Confirm file-handling policies cover external JT files.
- Review endpoint telemetry for suspicious MicroStation child processes or crashes.
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-416: 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-2021-46578 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-22-165/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.
Use After Free
Use After Free represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.