Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2021-46606 affects Bentley MicroStation CONNECT 10.16.0.80. A malicious BMP image can trigger memory corruption when opened or reached through a malicious page, potentially allowing code execution as the user. The risk is serious for engineering workstations that receive files from external parties.
Executive priority
Treat this as a high-priority workstation risk where Bentley MicroStation processes external files. It is not shown as actively exploited in the bundle, but arbitrary code execution through user-opened content can affect sensitive engineering environments.
Technical view
The flaw is a CWE-122 heap-based buffer overflow in BMP image parsing. The parser lacks proper validation of user-controlled length data before copying into a heap buffer. Successful exploitation requires user interaction and can execute code in the current process context.
Likely exposure
Exposure is likely limited to systems running Bentley MicroStation CONNECT 10.16.0.80, especially CAD or engineering environments that open externally supplied files, images, or project packages. The provided data does not identify other affected versions.
Exploitation context
The source bundle does not show CISA KEV listing or confirmed active exploitation. Exploitation requires the target to open a malicious file or visit a malicious page, so phishing, supplier-file exchange, and web-delivered content are plausible risk paths.
Researcher notes
ZDI tracks this as ZDI-22-193 and identifies the prior case as ZDI-CAN-15400. Available evidence names BMP parsing and heap-based buffer overflow, but the bundle does not include exploit details, patch version detail, or broader affected-version claims.
Mitigation direction
- Check Bentley advisory BE-2021-0002 for vendor-supported updates or mitigations.
- Identify and prioritize MicroStation CONNECT 10.16.0.80 installations for remediation.
- Restrict opening unsolicited BMP images or project files from untrusted sources.
- Use email and web controls to reduce delivery of suspicious image files.
- Run MicroStation with least-privilege user accounts where operationally feasible.
Validation and detection
- Inventory installed Bentley MicroStation CONNECT versions across engineering workstations.
- Confirm whether version 10.16.0.80 is present in production or VDI images.
- Review whether users receive external BMPs or CAD packages from suppliers.
- Verify remediation status against Bentley BE-2021-0002 guidance.
- Check security telemetry for suspicious file-open events involving MicroStation.
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-2021-46606 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-2021-0002CVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
- https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-22-193/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.