ICS Advisory

Ashlar-Vellum Cobalt, Graphite, Xenon, Argon, Lithium

Release Date
Alert Code
ICSA-23-299-03

View CSAF

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

  • CVSS v3 7.8
  • 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: v12 SP0 Build (1204.77) and prior
  • Graphite: v13.0.48 and prior
  • Xenon: v12 SP0 Build (1204.77) and prior
  • Argon: v12 SP0 Build (1204.77) and prior
  • Lithium: v12 SP0 Build (1204.77) and prior

3.2 Vulnerability Overview

3.2.1 OUT-OF-BOUNDS WRITE CWE-787

In Ashlar-Vellum Cobalt, Xenon, Argon, Lithium, and Cobalt Share v12 SP0 Build (1204.77), 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).

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).

3.3 BACKGROUND

  • CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE SECTORS: Multiple
  • 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
  • Cobalt, Xenon, Lithium, and Argon share update v12 Build (1204.78).
  • 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:

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 26, 2023: Initial Publication

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