# CVE-2023-35713: Ashlar-Vellum Cobalt XE File Parsing Uninitialized Memory Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

> Remote attackers can execute arbitrary code by tricking users into opening malicious XE files in Ashlar-Vellum Cobalt due to uninitialized memory access.

- **Severity:** High 7.8 (`CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Local or same network only
- **Victim action needed:** A user has to click or open something
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 3 May 2024
- **Updated:** 18 Sep 2024
- **Also known as:** GHSA-j89p-mfg5-qj34

## What is CVE-2023-35713?

CVE-2023-35713 is a high-severity memory corruption vulnerability in Ashlar Cobalt, published on 3 May 2024. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.

### Official description

Ashlar-Vellum Cobalt XE File Parsing Uninitialized Memory 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 XE files. The issue results from the lack of proper initialization of memory prior to accessing it. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of the current process.
. Was ZDI-CAN-20201.

Weakness: CWE-824 (Access of Uninitialized Pointer)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2023-35713?

It affects 1 product.


Products: Ashlar Cobalt.

## How do I fix CVE-2023-35713?

No fix has been published for CVE-2023-35713 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is CVE-2023-35713 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2023-35713 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Other vulnerabilities in Ashlar Cobalt

- [CVE-2023-39943](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-39943/): Ashlar-Vellum Cobalt, Xenon, Argon, Lithium Out-of-bounds Write (high 8.4)
- [CVE-2023-40222](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-40222/): Ashlar-Vellum Cobalt, Xenon, Argon, Lithium Heap-based Buffer Overflow (high 8.4)
- [CVE-2025-11463](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2025-11463/): Ashlar-Vellum Cobalt XE File Parsing Integer Overflow Remote Code Execution Vulnerability (high 7.8)
- [CVE-2025-11464](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2025-11464/): Ashlar-Vellum Cobalt CO File Parsing Heap-based Buffer Overflow Remote Code Execution Vulnerability (high 7.8)
- [CVE-2025-11465](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2025-11465/): Ashlar-Vellum Cobalt CO File Parsing Use-After-Free Remote Code Execution Vulnerability (high 7.8)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2023-35713 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2023-35713 is a high-severity memory corruption vulnerability in Ashlar Cobalt, published on 3 May 2024. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2023-35713 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected product: Ashlar Cobalt. No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-35713/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-35713/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2023-35713
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-35713
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2023-35713

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-35713/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.