CVE-2025-7997 Ashlar-Vellum Cobalt XE File Parsing Out-Of-Bounds Read Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
Remote attackers can execute arbitrary code by tricking users into opening malicious XE files in Ashlar-Vellum Cobalt due to an out-of-bounds read 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-2025-7997?
CVE-2025-7997 is a high-severity memory corruption 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 XE File Parsing Out-Of-Bounds Read 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 validation of user-supplied data, which can result in a read before the start of an allocated data structure. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of the current process. Was ZDI-CAN-26045.
Weakness: CWE-125
Which versions are affected by CVE-2025-7997?
It affects 1 product.
Products include Ashlar Cobalt.
How do I fix CVE-2025-7997?
No fix has been published for CVE-2025-7997 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.
Upgrade to the fixed version. Memory-safe languages, compiler hardening and fuzzing prevent most new cases. More about Memory corruption.
Is CVE-2025-7997 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2025-7997 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Other vulnerabilities in Ashlar Cobalt
- CVE-2023-39943 Ashlar-Vellum Cobalt, Xenon, Argon, Lithium Out-of-bounds Write
- CVE-2023-40222 Ashlar-Vellum Cobalt, Xenon, Argon, Lithium Heap-based Buffer Overflow
- CVE-2025-11463 Ashlar-Vellum Cobalt XE File Parsing Integer Overflow Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
- CVE-2025-11464 Ashlar-Vellum Cobalt CO File Parsing Heap-based Buffer Overflow Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
- CVE-2025-11465 Ashlar-Vellum Cobalt CO File Parsing Use-After-Free Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
Sources
Also known as GHSA-vx25-9j79-wfqg.