CVE-2025-2012 in Cobalt
Summary
by MITRE • 03/11/2025
Ashlar-Vellum Cobalt VS File Parsing Out-Of-Bounds Read 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 VS files. The issue results from the lack of proper validation of user-supplied data, which can result in a read past the end of an allocated buffer. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of the current process. Was ZDI-CAN-25185.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/08/2025
This vulnerability resides in the Ashlar-Vellum Cobalt software's handling of VS file parsing operations, representing a critical out-of-bounds read condition that can be exploited for remote code execution. The flaw manifests when the application processes maliciously crafted VS files without adequate input validation, creating a scenario where memory access occurs beyond the boundaries of allocated buffer space. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-125 weakness category, which specifically addresses out-of-bounds read conditions that can lead to information disclosure, system crashes, or arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability's remote exploitation capability makes it particularly dangerous as attackers can deliver malicious payloads through web-based vectors without requiring local system access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient bounds checking during the parsing of VS file structures, where the application fails to validate the size and content of user-supplied data before attempting to read from memory locations. When processing malformed VS files, the parser attempts to access memory regions that extend beyond the allocated buffer boundaries, potentially reading sensitive data from adjacent memory locations or triggering memory corruption that can be leveraged by attackers. This memory corruption can result in the execution of arbitrary code within the context of the current process, effectively allowing remote attackers to gain unauthorized control over affected systems. The vulnerability requires user interaction to exploit, meaning victims must visit a malicious webpage or open a specially crafted malicious file, which aligns with the attack pattern described in the ATT&CK framework under technique T1203 for legitimate system services and T1059 for command and scripting interpreter.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it represents a complete compromise of affected systems that can lead to data theft, system takeover, and potential lateral movement within network environments. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to establish persistent backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive information, or use the compromised system as a launching point for further attacks against other network resources. The fact that this vulnerability affects a widely used software application increases its potential impact, as many organizations may be unknowingly running vulnerable versions. Organizations should immediately assess their exposure by identifying all installations of Ashlar-Vellum Cobalt and implementing appropriate mitigations including patching, network segmentation, and user education to prevent exploitation through social engineering attacks that rely on user interaction. The vulnerability's classification as a remote code execution flaw makes it particularly concerning for enterprise environments where such software may be used in critical business processes and where the attack surface extends to multiple user endpoints and network systems.