Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
Bentley MicroStation CONNECT 10.16.0.80 can mishandle specially crafted PNG images. An attacker would need a user to open a malicious file or visit a malicious page. The documented direct impact is limited information disclosure, but the source notes it could support code execution when chained with other flaws.
Executive priority
Handle through normal vulnerability management unless affected CAD users routinely receive untrusted external files. The direct severity is low, but the business concern is workstation compromise when chained with other vulnerabilities in engineering workflows.
Technical view
CVE-2021-46618 is a CWE-125 out-of-bounds read in PNG parsing in Bentley MicroStation CONNECT 10.16.0.80. The flaw stems from insufficient validation of user-supplied data, allowing a read past an allocated buffer. CVSS 3.0 is 3.3 with user interaction required and low confidentiality impact.
Likely exposure
Exposure is limited to environments running Bentley MicroStation CONNECT 10.16.0.80. The bundle does not identify other affected versions or products. Risk is most relevant for users who open externally supplied design files, embedded images, links, or project assets.
Exploitation context
The source bundle does not show CISA KEV listing or active exploitation evidence. Exploitation requires user interaction. The advisory text says the flaw may be combined with other vulnerabilities to execute code in the current process, but does not document a standalone code-execution exploit.
Researcher notes
Evidence supports an out-of-bounds read during PNG parsing, tracked as ZDI-CAN-15412 and ZDI-22-205. The provided CVSS vector is local with required user interaction, despite wording that references remote attackers. No exploit details, patch version, or active exploitation claim is provided in the bundle.
Mitigation direction
- Check Bentley advisory BE-2021-0013 for supported fixed-version guidance.
- Prioritize moving affected MicroStation CONNECT 10.16.0.80 installations off the vulnerable build.
- Warn users not to open untrusted project files, images, or links.
- Use endpoint controls to isolate CAD workstations handling external files.
- Review file-ingestion workflows for externally supplied PNG or design assets.
Validation and detection
- Inventory Bentley MicroStation CONNECT installations and versions.
- Confirm whether version 10.16.0.80 is present on managed endpoints.
- Review Bentley BE-2021-0013 for remediation status and applicability.
- Check whether CAD users process files from external parties.
- Confirm endpoint protections cover document-based attack paths.
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-125: 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-2021-46618 mapping review
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Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- Low
- CVSS
- 3.3 (3.0)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N
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:L/I:N/A:N1.81.4Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.0 score
3.3LowVector: CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://www.bentley.com/en/common-vulnerability-exposure/BE-2021-0013CVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
- https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-22-205/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 Read
Out-of-bounds Read represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.