Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2021-46637 affects Bentley MicroStation CONNECT 10.16.0.80. A malicious DGN file or web-delivered file could cause the application to read memory outside an expected buffer, exposing limited sensitive information. The published severity is low, but CAD environments should still treat untrusted design files carefully.
Executive priority
Low urgency unless the organization heavily exchanges DGN files with external parties. Treat as a hygiene item in CAD workstation patching and file-handling controls.
Technical view
The flaw is a CWE-125 out-of-bounds read in DGN parsing. Exploitation requires user interaction and has CVSS 3.0 score 3.3 with low confidentiality impact only. ZDI notes it could be combined with other vulnerabilities for arbitrary code execution in the current process.
Likely exposure
Exposure is likely limited to workstations running Bentley MicroStation CONNECT 10.16.0.80 that open DGN files from external or untrusted sources.
Exploitation context
The source bundle does not show active exploitation, and CISA KEV status is false. Exploitation requires a user to visit a malicious page or open a malicious file.
Researcher notes
Evidence supports information disclosure via out-of-bounds read during DGN parsing. The arbitrary code execution statement is conditional on chaining with other vulnerabilities, not a standalone impact shown for this CVE.
Mitigation direction
- Review Bentley advisory BE-2021-0009 for supported remediation guidance.
- Apply Bentley-provided updates or workarounds if listed for affected deployments.
- Restrict opening DGN files from untrusted email, web, or partner sources.
- Use endpoint controls to flag externally sourced CAD files for review.
Validation and detection
- Inventory endpoints for Bentley MicroStation CONNECT 10.16.0.80.
- Confirm whether users receive or open external DGN files.
- Check whether Bentley remediation guidance has been applied.
- Review security telemetry for suspicious CAD file handling events.
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-2021-46637 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-2021-0009CVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
- https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-22-224/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.