Autodesk AutoCAD Vulnerabilities Patched: Key Details and Remediation Steps

Autodesk has recently addressed multiple vulnerabilities in its AutoCAD software, a critical tool used by architects, engineers, and designers worldwide. These vulnerabilities, identified as NCSC-2025-0088, were related to the processing of specific file types, including CATPRODUCT, CATPART, MODEL, SLDPRT, and 3DM. If exploited, these flaws could lead to application crashes, exposure of sensitive information, and even the execution of arbitrary code. Successful exploitation requires a malicious actor to trick a victim into opening a specially crafted file¹².

This article provides a detailed breakdown of the vulnerabilities, their potential impact, and remediation steps for affected users.

Key Points

Vulnerabilities Addressed: Multiple vulnerabilities in AutoCAD related to file processing.
Impact: Application crashes, sensitive data exposure, and arbitrary code execution.
Exploitation: Requires user interaction (opening a malicious file).
Affected Versions: AutoCAD versions prior to 2025.1.2.
Remediation: Apply the latest updates from Autodesk.

Technical Details of the Vulnerabilities

The vulnerabilities in AutoCAD stem from improper handling of specific file types, which could be exploited by attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause the application to crash. The affected file types include CATPRODUCT, CATPART, MODEL, SLDPRT, and 3DM. These flaws are classified as Use After Free, Out-of-bounds Read, Heap-based Buffer Overflow, Buffer Copy without Checking Size of Input, and Use of Uninitialized Variable³.

Exploitation Mechanism

For an attacker to exploit these vulnerabilities, they must convince a user to open a malicious file. Once opened, the file could trigger one of the aforementioned vulnerabilities, potentially leading to:

Application crashes, disrupting workflow.
Exposure of sensitive information, such as design files or user credentials.
Execution of arbitrary code, allowing the attacker to take control of the system.

The exploitation vector is particularly concerning for organizations that frequently exchange design files with external parties, as these files could serve as a conduit for malware delivery.

Affected Products and Versions

The vulnerabilities impact a wide range of Autodesk products, including:

Autodesk Advance Steel
Autodesk AutoCAD Architecture
Autodesk AutoCAD Electrical
Autodesk AutoCAD MAP 3D
Autodesk AutoCAD MEP
Autodesk AutoCAD Mechanical
Autodesk AutoCAD Plant 3D
Autodesk Civil 3D

All versions prior to 2025.1.2 are affected⁴.

Remediation Steps

Autodesk has released updates to address these vulnerabilities. Users are strongly advised to apply the latest patches immediately. The updates can be accessed through the Autodesk Trust Center or directly via the software’s update mechanism⁵.

Steps to Update:

Open AutoCAD.
Navigate to Help > Check for Updates.
Follow the on-screen instructions to download and install the latest version.

For system administrators managing multiple installations, Autodesk provides deployment tools to streamline the update process across an organization.

Relevance to Security Professionals

For Red Teamers, these vulnerabilities present an opportunity to test organizational defenses against file-based attacks. Crafting malicious files that exploit these flaws can help assess the effectiveness of endpoint protection and user awareness training.

Blue Teamers and SOC Analysts should prioritize monitoring for suspicious file activity, particularly those involving the affected file types. Implementing robust email filtering and endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions can mitigate the risk of exploitation.

Threat Intel Researchers should monitor for any active exploitation of these vulnerabilities in the wild, as they could be leveraged in targeted attacks against engineering and design firms.

Conclusion

The patching of these vulnerabilities in AutoCAD underscores the importance of timely software updates and robust security practices. Organizations relying on AutoCAD should prioritize applying the latest updates to mitigate potential risks. Additionally, security teams should remain vigilant for any signs of exploitation and ensure that users are educated on the dangers of opening untrusted files.

By addressing these vulnerabilities promptly, Autodesk has taken a significant step toward protecting its users from potential cyber threats.