CVE-2025-7983 is a high-severity heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability identified in Ashlar-Vellum Graphite version 13_SE_13048. The flaw exists in the parsing logic of VC6 files, where the software fails to properly validate the length of user-supplied data before copying it into a heap-based buffer. This lack of validation can lead to a buffer overflow condition, allowing an attacker to overwrite adjacent memory on the heap. Exploitation requires user interaction, specifically that the victim opens a maliciously crafted VC6 file or visits a malicious webpage that triggers the vulnerability. Successful exploitation enables remote code execution (RCE) within the context of the current process, potentially allowing an attacker to execute arbitrary code, escalate privileges, or compromise system integrity. The vulnerability is tracked under CWE-122 (Heap-based Buffer Overflow) and was assigned CVSS v3.0 base score of 7.8, indicating high severity. The attack vector is local (AV:L), requiring low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges (PR:N), but user interaction (UI:R). The impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is high (C:H/I:H/A:H). No public exploits are currently known in the wild, and no patches have been published yet. The vulnerability was reserved in July 2025 and published in September 2025 by the Zero Day Initiative (ZDI) as ZDI-CAN-25477.

For European organizations using Ashlar-Vellum Graphite, this vulnerability poses a significant risk. Given that exploitation requires user interaction, targeted spear-phishing campaigns or malicious file distribution could be effective attack vectors. Successful exploitation could lead to full system compromise, data theft, unauthorized access to sensitive intellectual property, or disruption of business operations. Organizations in sectors relying on CAD or design software, such as manufacturing, engineering, automotive, aerospace, and architecture, may be particularly impacted. The high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact means that critical design data could be stolen or altered, potentially causing financial loss or reputational damage. The lack of a patch increases the window of exposure, and the absence of known exploits does not preclude future weaponization. European organizations with less mature endpoint security or user awareness programs may be more vulnerable to social engineering attacks that trigger this flaw.

1. Implement strict email and file filtering to block or quarantine VC6 files from untrusted sources to reduce the risk of malicious file delivery. 2. Educate users on the risks of opening files from unknown or untrusted origins, emphasizing caution with VC6 files. 3. Employ application whitelisting and sandboxing techniques to restrict the execution context of Ashlar-Vellum Graphite, limiting the impact of potential exploitation. 4. Monitor network and endpoint logs for unusual behavior related to Ashlar-Vellum Graphite processes, such as unexpected memory usage or spawning of child processes. 5. Coordinate with Ashlar-Vellum for timely patch deployment once available; until then, consider disabling or restricting the use of VC6 file parsing features if feasible. 6. Utilize endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of detecting heap-based buffer overflow exploitation techniques. 7. Maintain up-to-date backups of critical design files to enable recovery in case of compromise.