CVE-2026-0874: Autodesk CATPART RCE Vulnerability

CVE-2026-0874 Overview

A maliciously crafted CATPART file, when parsed through certain Autodesk products, can force an Out-of-Bounds Write vulnerability. A malicious actor may leverage this vulnerability to cause a crash, cause data corruption, or execute arbitrary code in the context of the current process. This memory corruption vulnerability poses significant risk to organizations utilizing Autodesk design software in their workflows.

Critical Impact

This Out-of-Bounds Write vulnerability enables attackers to potentially execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the current process, leading to complete system compromise through malicious CATPART file parsing.

Affected Products

• Autodesk products that parse CATPART files
• Design and manufacturing software with CATIA file import functionality
• CAD applications utilizing vulnerable file parsing libraries

Discovery Timeline

• 2026-02-18 - CVE CVE-2026-0874 published to NVD
• 2026-02-19 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2026-0874

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability is classified as CWE-787 (Out-of-Bounds Write), a memory corruption flaw that occurs when software writes data past the end, or before the beginning, of the intended buffer. The vulnerability is triggered when Autodesk products parse specially crafted CATPART files, which are native file formats used by CATIA CAD software.

The attack requires local access and user interaction, meaning an attacker must convince a user to open a malicious CATPART file. Once opened, the vulnerable parsing routine fails to properly validate input boundaries, allowing the attacker-controlled data to overwrite adjacent memory regions.

Root Cause

The root cause of this vulnerability lies in insufficient bounds checking during the CATPART file parsing process. When the affected Autodesk software processes geometric or metadata elements within the CATPART file structure, it fails to properly validate the size and offset values specified in the file. This allows a maliciously crafted file to specify values that cause the parser to write data beyond allocated buffer boundaries.

Attack Vector

The attack vector is local, requiring user interaction to trigger the vulnerability. An attacker would typically distribute the malicious CATPART file through:

1. Email attachments disguised as legitimate design files
2. Compromised file sharing platforms or design repositories
3. Supply chain attacks targeting shared project files
4. Social engineering tactics targeting design professionals

When a victim opens the malicious file in a vulnerable Autodesk application, the out-of-bounds write occurs during parsing, potentially allowing the attacker to corrupt memory structures and achieve code execution within the context of the current process.

The vulnerability mechanism involves malformed data structures within the CATPART file that manipulate buffer boundaries during parsing operations. When the application attempts to process these malformed elements, the parser writes beyond allocated memory regions, enabling potential arbitrary code execution. For complete technical details, refer to the Autodesk Security Advisory ADK-SA-2026-0004.

Detection Methods for CVE-2026-0874

Indicators of Compromise

• Unexpected crashes or errors when opening CATPART files in Autodesk applications
• Unusual process behavior following file open operations, such as spawned child processes or network connections
• Memory access violations logged in application event logs
• Suspicious CATPART files with anomalous file sizes or malformed headers

Detection Strategies

• Implement file integrity monitoring for incoming CATPART files in design workflows
• Deploy endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of detecting memory corruption exploitation attempts
• Monitor Autodesk application processes for anomalous behavior patterns following file operations
• Utilize SentinelOne Singularity Platform for real-time behavioral analysis and exploit detection

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable verbose logging for Autodesk applications to capture file parsing errors
• Configure SIEM rules to alert on repeated application crashes involving CATPART file processing
• Monitor for signs of post-exploitation activity following Autodesk application execution
• Implement file quarantine procedures for CATPART files from untrusted sources

How to Mitigate CVE-2026-0874

Immediate Actions Required

• Review and apply the latest security patches from Autodesk as outlined in the security advisory
• Restrict CATPART file imports to trusted sources only until patches are applied
• Implement application whitelisting to prevent unauthorized code execution
• Enable exploit protection features in endpoint security solutions
• Educate users about the risks of opening design files from untrusted sources

Patch Information

Autodesk has released security guidance for this vulnerability. Administrators should consult the Autodesk Security Advisory ADK-SA-2026-0004 for specific patch information and affected product versions. Organizations should prioritize patching based on their exposure to CATPART file processing workflows and ensure all affected Autodesk products are updated to the latest secure versions.

Workarounds

• Disable CATPART file import functionality in affected applications if not business-critical
• Implement network segmentation to isolate design workstations from sensitive systems
• Use application sandboxing to limit the impact of potential exploitation
• Pre-scan all incoming CATPART files through a dedicated file analysis system before processing

# Configuration example
# Restrict file associations for CATPART files on Windows systems
# Run as Administrator to temporarily disable CATPART file associations

# Backup current file association
ftype CATPartFile > catpart_backup.txt

# Remove file association (temporary mitigation)
assoc .catpart=

# To restore after patching:
# assoc .catpart=CATPartFile