CVE-2025-2013 in Cobalt
Summary
by MITRE • 03/11/2025
Ashlar-Vellum Cobalt CO File Parsing Use-After-Free 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 validating the existence of an object prior to performing operations on the object. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of the current process. Was ZDI-CAN-25186.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/08/2025
The CVE-2025-2013 vulnerability represents a critical use-after-free flaw in Ashlar-Vellum Cobalt's CO file parsing functionality that enables remote code execution under specific conditions. This vulnerability resides within the software's file processing pipeline where CO files are parsed and interpreted, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered through web-based attacks or by opening malicious files. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation during the object lifecycle management within the parsing routine, creating a scenario where memory operations occur on freed objects without proper existence checks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability follows the classic use-after-free pattern where memory allocated to objects is deallocated but subsequent operations attempt to access the same memory locations. When parsing CO files, the Cobalt application fails to validate whether objects remain valid before executing operations on them, creating a window of opportunity for attackers to manipulate memory contents. This flaw directly maps to CWE-416, which specifically addresses use-after-free conditions in memory management. The vulnerability requires user interaction to exploit, meaning targets must either visit a malicious webpage or open a crafted CO file, making it a client-side attack vector that aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 for exploitation through web-based attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it allows attackers to operate within the security context of the current process, potentially escalating privileges or accessing sensitive data. Successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise, especially if the affected application runs with elevated privileges or has access to sensitive information. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers can leverage it through various delivery mechanisms including web pages, email attachments, or file sharing platforms. Organizations running Ashlar-Vellum Cobalt applications face significant risk as this flaw can be exploited without requiring local system access or advanced technical skills from the attacker.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patching of affected systems and implementation of network-based protections to prevent access to malicious CO files. Security teams should deploy web application firewalls and content filtering solutions to block suspicious file downloads and prevent users from accessing potentially malicious web content. Additionally, user education regarding the dangers of opening untrusted files and visiting suspicious websites remains crucial. The vulnerability's classification as a remote code execution flaw necessitates network segmentation and privilege separation to limit potential damage. Organizations should also implement monitoring solutions to detect unusual file processing activities and consider deploying sandboxing technologies to isolate CO file handling operations. The ZDI-CAN-25186 reference indicates this vulnerability was recognized by the Zero Day Initiative, highlighting its significance in the cybersecurity community and the importance of timely patch management across all affected deployments.