CVE-2023-44437

Code execution via unsecured library search path

Published May 3, 2024 · Updated Sep 18, 2024

Uncontrolled library search in Ashlar-Vellum Cobalt before 12.0.1204.78 allows remote attackers to execute code via crafted files. While parsing various file types, the process searches an unsecured location and loads an attacker-supplied library. The target must visit a malicious page or open a malicious file, after which the code runs in the current process context.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability0.37%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
Coverage for this vulnerability

See if you're affected

Explore vulnerability checks for your environment with Hinoki.

Book a demo

Summary

What happened

Uncontrolled library search in Ashlar-Vellum Cobalt before 12.0.1204.78 allows remote attackers to execute code via crafted files. While parsing various file types, the process searches an unsecured location and loads an attacker-supplied library. The target must visit a malicious page or open a malicious file, after which the code runs in the current process context.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-44437
Published
May 3, 2024
Updated
Sep 18, 2024
Vendor
Ashlar-Vellum
Product
Cobalt
Classifications
CWE-427, T1574.001, T1204.002
Attack vector
local
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. May 3, 2024CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Sep 18, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

Compare your product and version with the public record. A matching version still requires validation against your environment.

Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=0 <12.0.1204.54
  2. Affected versionversion=Cobalt v12 Beta Build 1204.67

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Ashlar-Vellum · Cobaltversion=0 <12.0.1204.54; version=Cobalt v12 Beta Build 1204.67

Published CVSS scores

7.8Zero Day InitiativeCVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-427Uncontrolled Search Path Element
T1574.001Hijack Execution Flow: DLL Search Order Hijacking
T1204.002User Execution: Malicious File

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

See the directory against your own environment.

Your stack

Check the software in your environment

Book a demo to see how Hinoki identifies affected software and validates exploitability in your environment.

Book a demo