Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2021-46650 is a low-severity information disclosure flaw in Bentley MicroStation CONNECT 10.16.0.80. A user must open a malicious DGN file or visit a malicious page. By itself, the issue exposes limited information, but sources note it could support code execution when chained with other vulnerabilities.
Executive priority
Treat this as a targeted workstation exposure, not an emergency enterprise-wide incident. Prioritize affected design teams and externally sourced DGN workflows. Business urgency increases if vulnerable MicroStation users regularly process files from untrusted parties.
Technical view
The flaw is a CWE-125 out-of-bounds read in DGN file parsing caused by insufficient validation of user-supplied data. CVSS 3.0 is 3.3 with required user interaction, no privileges, low confidentiality impact, and no integrity or availability impact. The record identifies ZDI-CAN-15536 and ZDI-22-237.
Likely exposure
Exposure appears limited to Bentley MicroStation CONNECT version 10.16.0.80, based on the provided source bundle. Risk is most relevant where users open externally supplied DGN files or browse pages that may deliver crafted design content. The bundle does not identify additional affected versions or products.
Exploitation context
CISA KEV is false, and the provided sources do not show active exploitation. Exploitation requires user interaction. The attacker must get the target to open a malicious file or visit a malicious page. The source notes possible chaining with other vulnerabilities for code execution.
Researcher notes
Evidence is concise and version-specific. The core issue is an out-of-bounds read during DGN parsing. Do not assume standalone remote code execution from this CVE alone; the source says code execution requires chaining with other vulnerabilities.
Mitigation direction
- Inventory Bentley MicroStation CONNECT installations and identify version 10.16.0.80.
- Review Bentley advisory BE-2021-0009 for vendor-provided updates or workarounds.
- Limit opening DGN files from untrusted or unexpected external sources.
- Use existing email and web controls to reduce delivery of suspicious design files.
Validation and detection
- Confirm whether MicroStation CONNECT 10.16.0.80 is installed on engineering workstations.
- Review workflows that accept DGN files from customers, partners, or public sources.
- Check whether Bentley BE-2021-0009 has been applied according to vendor guidance.
- Verify users handling external DGN content have clear reporting and review procedures.
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
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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-2021-46650 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
- 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-22-237/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.