CVE-2021-40166

Code execution via PNG object double free

Published Oct 7, 2022 · Updated Aug 4, 2024

Use-after-free in Autodesk Image Processing in affected Autodesk desktop products allows attackers to execute code via a crafted PNG file. The PNG parser attempts to free an object that it has already freed while processing the file, leaving an invalid heap state that enables code execution. Exploitation requires a local user to open or import the malicious image, and successful code runs in that user's application context.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability0.93%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Use-after-free in Autodesk Image Processing in affected Autodesk desktop products allows attackers to execute code via a crafted PNG file. The PNG parser attempts to free an object that it has already freed while processing the file, leaving an invalid heap state that enables code execution. Exploitation requires a local user to open or import the malicious image, and successful code runs in that user's application context.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-40166
Published
Oct 7, 2022
Updated
Aug 4, 2024
Vendor
Unknown vendor
Product
Unknown product
Classifications
CWE-416, T1204.002, T1203
Attack vector
local
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Oct 7, 2022CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 4, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Affected buildAffected product and version details are unavailable.

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Affected products and versions are unavailable in this record.

Published CVSS scores

7.8NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

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No observations available

Sep 9, 2026Sep 15, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 15, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-416Use After Free
T1204.002User Execution: Malicious File
T1203Exploitation for Client Execution

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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