CVE-2025-5039: Critical Vulnerability in Autodesk Applications Leading to Arbitrary Code Execution

Overview

A newly disclosed vulnerability, CVE-2025-5039, has been identified in certain Autodesk applications. This vulnerability exposes systems to significant risk, as it allows attackers to execute arbitrary code by crafting malicious binary files. This flaw is particularly concerning because it does not require elevated privileges, implying that even a regular user could be exploited if they interact with a compromised binary file.
The danger posed by this vulnerability is underscored by its CVSS Severity Score of 7.8, which places it in the high-risk category. This vulnerability doesn’t just affect a single product or version, but a range of Autodesk applications, potentially impacting millions of users worldwide. Therefore, immediate attention and action are necessary to prevent any potential system compromise or data leakage.

Vulnerability Summary

CVE ID: CVE-2025-5039
Severity: High, CVSS Score 7.8
Attack Vector: Local
Privileges Required: Low
User Interaction: Required
Impact: Potential System Compromise and Data Leakage

Affected Products

Product | Affected Versions

Autodesk Application A | Versions X.X to Y.Y
Autodesk Application B | Versions X.X to Y.Y

How the Exploit Works

The exploit takes advantage of an untrusted search path utilized when loading files in certain Autodesk applications. By crafting a malicious binary file and placing it in a directory that the application searches, an attacker could cause arbitrary code to be executed within the context of the current process. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous as it does not require elevated privileges or sophisticated techniques, making it accessible to a wide range of potential attackers.

Conceptual Example Code

Consider a simple pseudocode example of how the vulnerability might be exploited:

// Attacker crafts a malicious binary file
malicious_binary_file = CraftMaliciousBinaryFile();
// Attacker places the malicious binary in a directory that Autodesk application searches
PlaceInDirectory(malicious_binary_file, 'C:\\Autodesk\\Application\\Directory');
// The Autodesk application loads the malicious binary and executes the arbitrary code
application = LoadAutodeskApplication();
application.LoadFile('C:\\Autodesk\\Application\\Directory\\malicious_binary_file');

In this conceptual example, the Autodesk application would load the malicious binary file and execute the arbitrary code contained within it, leading to the potential compromise of the system or leakage of sensitive data.

Mitigation Guidance

The recommended mitigation for this vulnerability is to apply the vendor patch as soon as it becomes available. As a temporary measure, users can also employ a Web Application Firewall (WAF) or Intrusion Detection System (IDS) to help detect and prevent attempted exploits of this vulnerability.