Ashlar-Vellum Cobalt, Graphite, Xenon, Argon, Lithium (Update A)

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1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

• CVSS v4 8.4
• ATTENTION: Low attack complexity
• Vendor: Ashlar-Vellum
• Equipment: Cobalt, Graphite, Xenon, Argon, Lithium, and Cobalt Share
• Vulnerabilities: Out-of-bounds Write, Heap-based Buffer Overflow, Out-of-Bounds Read

2. RISK EVALUATION

Successful exploitation of these vulnerabilities could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code.

3. TECHNICAL DETAILS

3.1 AFFECTED PRODUCTS

The following Ashlar-Vellum products are affected:

• Cobalt: Versions prior to v12 SP2 Build (1204.200)
• Cobalt Share: Versions prior to v12 SP2 Build (1204.200)
• Graphite: v13.0.48 and prior
• Xenon: Versions prior to v12 SP2 Build (1204.200)
• Argon: Versions prior to v12 SP2 Build (1204.200)
• Lithium: Versions prior to v12 SP2 Build (1204.200)

3.2 VULNERABILITY OVERVIEW

3.2.1 OUT-OF-BOUNDS WRITE CWE-787

In Ashlar-Vellum Cobalt, Xenon, Argon, Lithium, and Cobalt Share version prior to v12 SP2 Build (1204.200), the affected applications lack proper validation of user-supplied data when parsing XE files. This could lead to an out-of-bounds write. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code in the context of the current process.

CVE-2023-39427 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3 base score of 7.8 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H).

A CVSS v4 score has also been calculated for CVE-2023-39427. A base score of 8.4 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (CVSS4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:A/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N).

3.2.2 OUT-OF-BOUNDS READ CWE-125

In Ashlar-Vellum Graphite v13.0.48, the affected application lacks proper validation of user-supplied data when parsing VC6 files. This could lead to an out-of-bounds read. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code in the context of the current process.

CVE-2023-39936 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3 base score of 7.8 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H).

A CVSS v4 score has also been calculated for CVE-2023-39936. A base score of 8.4 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (CVSS4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:A/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N).

3.2.3 HEAP-BASED BUFFER OVERFLOW CWE-122

In Ashlar-Vellum Cobalt versions prior to v12 SP2 Build (1204.200), the affected application lacks proper validation of user-supplied data when parsing CO files. This could lead to a heap-based buffer overflow. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code in the context of the current process.

CVE-2023-40222 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3 base score of 7.8 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H).

A CVSS v4 score has also been calculated for CVE-2023-40222. A base score of 8.4 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (CVSS4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:A/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N).

3.2.4 OUT-OF-BOUNDS WRITE CWE-787

In Ashlar-Vellum Cobalt versions prior to v12 SP2 Build (1204.200), the affected application lacks proper validation of user-supplied data when parsing XE files. This could lead to an out-of-bounds write. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code in the context of the current process.

CVE-2023-39943 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3 base score of 7.8 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H).

A CVSS v4 score has also been calculated for CVE-2023-39943. A base score of 8.4 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (CVSS4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:A/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N).

3.3 BACKGROUND

• CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE SECTORS: Critical Manufacturing
• COUNTRIES/AREAS DEPLOYED: Worldwide
• COMPANY HEADQUARTERS LOCATION: United States

3.4 RESEARCHER

Michael Heinzl reported these vulnerabilities to CISA.

4. MITIGATIONS

Ashlar-Vellum recommends users apply the following mitigations to help reduce risk:

• Install the latest version of Graphite.
• Update to the latest version for Cobalt, Xenon, Lithium, and Argon by installing v12 SP12 Alpha Build (1204.200) (Jan 22, 2025).
• Only open files from trusted sources.

CISA reminds organizations to perform proper impact analysis and risk assessment prior to deploying defensive measures.

CISA also provides a section for control systems security recommended practices on the ICS webpage on cisa.gov/ics. Several CISA products detailing cyber defense best practices are available for reading and download, including Improving Industrial Control Systems Cybersecurity with Defense-in-Depth Strategies.

CISA encourages organizations to implement recommended cybersecurity strategies for proactive defense of ICS assets.

Additional mitigation guidance and recommended practices are publicly available on the ICS webpage at cisa.gov/ics in the technical information paper, ICS-TIP-12-146-01B--Targeted Cyber Intrusion Detection and Mitigation Strategies.

Organizations observing suspected malicious activity should follow established internal procedures and report findings to CISA for tracking and correlation against other incidents.

CISA also recommends users take the following measures to protect themselves from social engineering attacks:

• Do not click web links or open attachments in unsolicited email messages.
• Refer to Recognizing and Avoiding Email Scams for more information on avoiding email scams.
• Refer to Avoiding Social Engineering and Phishing Attacks for more information on social engineering attacks.

No known public exploitation specifically targeting these vulnerabilities has been reported to CISA at this time. These vulnerabilities are not exploitable remotely.

5. UPDATE HISTORY

• October 24, 2023: Initial Publication
• February 4, 2025: Update A - Updates affected product versions, added in CVSS 4.0 scores, 2 additional vulnerabilities (CVE-2023-40222 and CVE-2023-39943), updated Sectors, and included new download link.