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 AR 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.

03/13/23 – ZDI reported the vulnerability to the vendor.

03/13/23 – The vendor acknowledged the report.

08/25/23 – The ZDI asked for an update.

08/28/23 – The vendor states that the open cases have not been resolved.

09/20/23 – The ZDI informed the vendor that the case will be published as a zero-day advisory on 09/21/23.

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

• 2023-03-13 - Vulnerability reported to vendor
• 2023-09-21 - Coordinated public release of advisory
• 2023-09-21 - Advisory Updated