CVE-2025-2018 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-25245.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/08/2025
The CVE-2025-2018 vulnerability represents a critical type confusion flaw in Ashlar-Vellum Cobalt's VS file parsing functionality that enables remote code execution under specific conditions. This vulnerability resides within the software's file processing pipeline where user-supplied VS files are parsed without adequate input validation mechanisms. The flaw specifically manifests when the application encounters malformed or maliciously crafted VS file structures that trigger unexpected behavior in the type handling logic. According to the ZDI-CAN-25245 reference, this issue stems from insufficient sanitization of user-provided data during the parsing phase, creating a condition where the application's internal type system becomes confused about the expected data types, leading to potential code execution. The vulnerability requires user interaction to be exploited, meaning that targets must either visit a malicious webpage or open a crafted malicious file for the attack to succeed, making it a client-side exploitation vector rather than a direct network-based attack.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability leverages the type confusion condition that occurs when the application's parser encounters data that doesn't match its expected type structure. This condition typically arises when the software attempts to treat data as one type while it actually represents another, causing memory corruption or unexpected execution paths. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-471, which describes the weakness of "Incorrectly handling of data type" and falls under the broader category of type confusion vulnerabilities that have been extensively documented in cybersecurity literature. When exploited, the type confusion allows attackers to manipulate the program's execution flow and potentially inject malicious code that executes with the privileges of the affected application process. The attack surface is particularly concerning because VS files are commonly used in design and development environments where users frequently open files from untrusted sources.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with persistent access to affected systems and potentially broader network infiltration capabilities. Since the vulnerability requires user interaction, attackers typically employ social engineering techniques to lure victims into opening malicious files or visiting compromised web pages containing the exploit. This makes the attack vector particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users may inadvertently encounter malicious content through email attachments, web downloads, or collaboration platforms. The vulnerability affects installations where Ashlar-Vellum Cobalt is actively used for file processing, creating a significant risk for organizations that rely heavily on this software for design and development workflows. The remote code execution capability allows attackers to establish persistent backdoors, escalate privileges, or use the compromised system as a launch point for further attacks within the network infrastructure.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to patched versions of Ashlar-Vellum Cobalt where available, implementing strict file validation policies, and deploying network monitoring solutions to detect suspicious file access patterns. Security teams should also consider implementing sandboxing mechanisms for file processing and user education programs to reduce the risk of successful exploitation through social engineering attacks. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation and type safety in software development practices, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1203 which covers "Exploitation for Client Execution" and T1059 which covers "Command and Scripting Interpreter" as potential follow-on attack vectors. Additionally, organizations should review their incident response procedures to ensure rapid detection and containment of potential exploitation attempts, as the vulnerability's requirement for user interaction means that traditional network-based detection methods may not be sufficient to identify all attack attempts.