CVE-2025-2015 in Cobalt
Summary
by MITRE • 03/11/2025
Ashlar-Vellum Cobalt VS File Parsing Type Confusion 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 type confusion condition. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of the current process. Was ZDI-CAN-25236.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/08/2025
The CVE-2025-2015 vulnerability represents a critical type confusion flaw in Ashlar-Vellum Cobalt's VS file parsing functionality that enables remote code execution. This vulnerability resides within the application's file processing pipeline where it fails to properly validate user-supplied data during the parsing of VS files. The weakness creates a condition where the application's memory management becomes compromised, allowing an attacker to manipulate data types and potentially execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected process. The vulnerability specifically targets the software's handling of structured data within VS file formats, which are commonly used for document processing and data exchange within the application ecosystem.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms within the Cobalt application's file parser. When processing maliciously crafted VS files, the system fails to properly distinguish between different data types during runtime operations, leading to a type confusion scenario. This condition occurs when the application attempts to use a memory location as one data type while it actually contains data of a different type. The flaw aligns with CWE-476 which specifically addresses NULL pointer dereferences and related type confusion issues in software implementations. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting specially formatted VS files that manipulate the application's internal data structures, potentially causing the system to execute unintended code sequences.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution to encompass complete system compromise when exploited successfully. An attacker requiring only user interaction through visiting a malicious webpage or opening a crafted file can gain unauthorized access to the target system. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be delivered through various attack vectors including phishing campaigns, malicious websites, or file sharing platforms. The vulnerability affects all installations of Ashlar-Vellum Cobalt that process VS files, making it a widespread concern across organizations using this software. The execution occurs within the context of the current process, meaning that the attacker's code runs with the same privileges as the Cobalt application itself, potentially allowing for privilege escalation or lateral movement within the network.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2025-2015 should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems and implementation of network-based controls to prevent access to malicious content. Organizations should deploy web application firewalls and content filtering solutions to block suspicious VS file downloads and prevent exploitation through web-based attack vectors. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK technique T1203 (Exploitation for Client Execution) indicates that traditional endpoint protection measures may be insufficient, requiring additional monitoring for unusual process execution patterns. Security teams should implement strict file validation procedures and restrict user access to potentially malicious file types. Additionally, network segmentation and privilege separation can limit the potential damage from successful exploitation. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify any unpatched systems, while incident response procedures should be updated to address potential exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability.