Overview
In the realm of cybersecurity, a new vulnerability has been reported, identified as CVE-2025-5037, that affects users of Autodesk Revit, a widely-used architecture software. This vulnerability stands out due to its ability to execute arbitrary code, potentially leading to system compromise or data leakage. The severity of this vulnerability, combined with the popularity and widespread use of Autodesk Revit in the architecture and construction industries, makes it a significant threat that needs immediate attention and action.
Vulnerability Summary
CVE ID: CVE-2025-5037
Severity: High (7.8 CVSS v3 Score)
Attack Vector: Network via malicious RFA, RTE, or RVT file
Privileges Required: None
User Interaction: Required (user must open a malicious file)
Impact: System compromise and potential data leakage
Affected Products
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Product | Affected Versions
Autodesk Revit | All versions prior to the vendor patch
How the Exploit Works
The exploit takes advantage of a Memory Corruption vulnerability in Autodesk Revit. When a user opens a maliciously crafted RFA, RTE, or RVT file using Autodesk Revit, it can trigger the memory corruption, creating a security gap. This gap can be exploited by the attacker to execute arbitrary code in the context of the current process, potentially gaining unauthorized access to sensitive data or even taking control of the entire system.
Conceptual Example Code
Here is a conceptual representation of the malicious file:
$ malicious_file.rfa
BEGIN_OBJECT
{
"type": "Buffer",
"data": [ ...malicious_code... ]
}
END_OBJECTThis file, when opened in Autodesk Revit, would trigger the memory corruption vulnerability, leading to the execution of the malicious code within the data array.
Mitigation Guidance
To mitigate the impact of this vulnerability, Autodesk has released a vendor patch that users are strongly advised to apply. The update addresses the memory corruption vulnerability by sanitizing the input files and preventing the execution of any arbitrary code.
For organizations where immediate patching is not feasible due to operational constraints, deploying a Web Application Firewall (WAF) or Intrusion Detection System (IDS) can provide temporary mitigation. These systems can be configured to detect and block suspicious file activities, thereby preventing the execution of the malicious code.
While these measures can significantly reduce the risk posed by this vulnerability, they are not a substitute for a comprehensive security program. Regular software updates, user education, and robust security policies are essential in protecting against this and other types of cybersecurity threats.
