# CVE-2021-42706: AzeoTech DAQFactory

> An attacker can exploit a use-after-free flaw in Advantech HMI Designer to disclose information and execute arbitrary code.

- **Severity:** High 7.8 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Local or same network only
- **Victim action needed:** A user has to click or open something
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 15 Nov 2021
- **Updated:** 16 Sep 2024
- **Also known as:** GHSA-73jf-94cc-m479

## What is CVE-2021-42706?

CVE-2021-42706 is a high-severity use after free vulnerability in Advantech HMI Designer, published on 15 Nov 2021. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.

### Official description

This vulnerability could allow an attacker to disclose information and execute arbitrary code on affected installations of WebAccess/MHI Designer

Weakness: CWE-416 (Use After Free)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2021-42706?

It affects 1 product.


Products: Advantech Webaccess Hmi Designer.

## How do I fix CVE-2021-42706?

No fix has been published for CVE-2021-42706 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is CVE-2021-42706 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2021-42706 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Other vulnerabilities in Advantech HMI Designer

- [CVE-2019-10961](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2019-10961/): Memory corruption in Advantech WebAccess HMI Designer (high 8.8)
- [CVE-2018-8833](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2018-8833/): Memory corruption in Advantech WebAccess HMI Designer (high 7.8)
- [CVE-2018-8835](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2018-8835/): Use after free in Advantech WebAccess HMI Designer (high 7.8)
- [CVE-2018-8837](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2018-8837/): Memory corruption in Advantech WebAccess HMI Designer (high 7.8)
- [CVE-2021-42703](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-42703/): AzeoTech DAQFactory (medium 5.4)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2021-42706 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2021-42706 is a high-severity use after free vulnerability in Advantech HMI Designer, published on 15 Nov 2021. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2021-42706 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected product: Advantech HMI Designer. No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-42706/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-42706/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2021-42706
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-42706
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2021-42706

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-42706/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.