CVE-2023-34299 in Cobalt
Summary
by MITRE • 05/03/2024
Ashlar-Vellum Cobalt CO File Parsing Heap-based Buffer Overflow Remote Code Execution Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected installations of Ashlar-Vellum Cobalt. User interaction is required to exploit this vulnerability in that the target must visit a malicious page or open a malicious file.
The specific flaw exists within the parsing of CO files. The issue results from the lack of proper validation of the length of user-supplied data prior to copying it to a heap-based buffer. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of the current process. . Was ZDI-CAN-17910.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/19/2024
The CVE-2023-34299 vulnerability represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow flaw in Ashlar-Vellum Cobalt software that enables remote code execution through CO file parsing operations. This vulnerability resides in the software's handling of file format parsing where insufficient input validation permits malicious data to overwrite adjacent memory regions within heap-based buffers. The flaw specifically manifests when the application processes CO files without proper bounds checking on user-supplied data lengths before copying into allocated memory segments. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 heap-based buffer overflow category, which is classified as a common weakness in software security practices. The vulnerability's remote exploitability requires user interaction through visiting malicious web pages or opening compromised files, making it particularly dangerous in targeted attack scenarios. The attack surface extends to any system running affected versions of Ashlar-Vellum Cobalt software where users might encounter malicious CO files in email attachments, web downloads, or file sharing environments.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper memory management during CO file parsing operations within the Cobalt application framework. When processing CO files, the software allocates heap memory for storing parsed data but fails to validate the actual length of incoming data against the allocated buffer boundaries. This allows attackers to craft malicious CO files containing oversized data payloads that exceed the intended buffer capacity, causing memory corruption that can be leveraged for code execution. The vulnerability's exploitation pathway aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which involves the use of malicious files to gain initial access and execute arbitrary code. The heap-based nature of the overflow means that attackers can potentially manipulate memory layout to redirect execution flow, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it operates within the application's memory space and can execute code with the privileges of the running process. The lack of input sanitization creates a direct attack vector where crafted data structures can overwrite critical memory locations including return addresses, function pointers, or other control flow data.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-34299 extends beyond simple remote code execution to encompass potential system compromise and data breach scenarios. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability can gain full control over affected systems, potentially leading to persistent backdoor installation, privilege escalation, or lateral movement within network environments. The requirement for user interaction creates a social engineering component that attackers can exploit through phishing campaigns, malicious website content, or compromised file sharing platforms. Organizations using Ashlar-Vellum Cobalt software face significant risk as this vulnerability can be exploited without requiring special privileges or advanced technical knowledge from attackers. The vulnerability's classification as a remote code execution flaw means that successful exploitation can result in complete system compromise, data exfiltration, and potential use as a foothold for broader network infiltration. The impact is particularly severe in enterprise environments where users frequently interact with external content and file sharing systems that could contain malicious CO files.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-34299 should prioritize immediate patching of affected software versions to address the underlying heap buffer overflow vulnerability. Organizations must implement strict file validation controls and restrict user access to potentially malicious file types through network-level filtering and email security solutions. The implementation of application whitelisting policies can prevent execution of unauthorized CO files while network segmentation can limit the potential impact of successful exploitation. Security teams should deploy intrusion detection systems capable of identifying suspicious file parsing activities and monitor for unusual network traffic patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other software components. The vulnerability's characteristics align with ATT&CK technique T1059, which involves the execution of malicious code through various attack vectors including file-based exploits, making comprehensive endpoint protection essential. Additionally, user education and awareness programs should emphasize the dangers of opening untrusted files and visiting suspicious websites to reduce the likelihood of successful exploitation through social engineering attacks.