Advisory Details

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 XE files. The issue results from the lack of proper validation of user-supplied data, which can result in an integer overflow before allocating a buffer. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of the current process.

04/14/25 – ZDI reported the vulnerability to the vendor
04/23/25 – the vendor acknowledged the receipt of the report
07/30/25 – ZDI asked for updates
08/06/25 - ZDI asked for updates
10/06/2025 – The vendor communicated that the fix will be available in the upcoming update
10/15/25 - ZDI notified the vendor of the intention to publish the case as a  0-day advisory

-- Mitigation: Given the nature of the vulnerability, the only salient mitigation strategy is to restrict interaction with the product.

• 2025-04-14 - Vulnerability reported to vendor
• 2025-10-16 - Coordinated public release of advisory
• 2025-10-16 - Advisory Updated