CVE-2025-7993 Ashlar-Vellum Cobalt LI File Parsing Use-After-Free Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

High 7.8 Published Updated

Remote attackers can execute arbitrary code by tricking users into opening malicious LI files in Ashlar-Vellum Cobalt due to a use-after-free flaw.

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
None listed

What is CVE-2025-7993?

CVE-2025-7993 is a high-severity use after free vulnerability in Ashlar Cobalt, published on 17 Sep 2025. 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 LI File Parsing Use-After-Free 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 LI files. The issue results from the lack of validating the existence of an object prior to performing operations on the object. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of the current process. Was ZDI-CAN-25355.

Weakness: CWE-416

Which versions are affected by CVE-2025-7993?

It affects 1 product.

Products include Ashlar Cobalt.

How do I fix CVE-2025-7993?

No fix has been published for CVE-2025-7993 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

Upgrade to the fixed version. These bugs are found with fuzzing and sanitisers and avoided by memory-safe languages. More about Use after free.

Is CVE-2025-7993 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2025-7993 in the wild and no public exploit code.

All Ashlar Cobalt vulnerabilities

Sources

Also known as GHSA-54f7-x8hc-vff6.

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