CVE-2023-35989: Integer Overflow Vulnerability in GTKWave’s LXT2 zlib Block Allocation

Overview

The cybersecurity landscape is constantly evolving, with new vulnerabilities emerging daily. One such vulnerability that has recently come to light is the CVE-2023-35989. This integer overflow vulnerability exists in the LXT2 zlib block allocation functionality of GTKWave 3.3.115, a widely-used tool in the electronics industry for viewing VCD files. This vulnerability, if exploited, has the potential to compromise entire systems or lead to data leakage. It underscores the need for constant vigilance and proactivity in updating systems and applying patches as they become available.

Vulnerability Summary

CVE ID: CVE-2023-35989
Severity: High (7.8 CVSS Score)
Attack Vector: File
Privileges Required: None
User Interaction: Required
Impact: Potential system compromise or data leakage

Affected Products

Product | Affected Versions

GTKWave | 3.3.115

How the Exploit Works

The vulnerability lies in the LXT2 zlib block allocation functionality of GTKWave 3.3.115. An integer overflow vulnerability exists which, when exploited, can lead to arbitrary code execution. This is triggered when a user opens a specially crafted .lxt2 file. The malicious code embedded in the file could potentially grant the attacker unauthorized access to the system, leading to system compromise or data leakage.

Conceptual Example Code

Here’s a conceptual example of how this vulnerability could be exploited. An attacker would create a malicious .lxt2 file and trick the victim into opening it using GTKWave 3.3.115. The malicious code within the file would then execute, exploiting the vulnerability. Note that this is just a conceptual example and does not represent actual malicious code:

# Constructing a malicious .lxt2 file
$ echo "malicious_code" > malicious.lxt2
# The victim opens the malicious file with GTKWave 3.3.115
$ gtkwave malicious.lxt2

Mitigation and Recommendations

GTKWave users are strongly encouraged to apply the vendor patch as soon as it becomes available in order to address this vulnerability. In addition, using a Web Application Firewall (WAF) or Intrusion Detection System (IDS) can serve as a temporary mitigation measure. As always, users should exercise caution when opening files from untrusted sources.