CVE-2023-37282: Critical Out-of-Bounds Write Vulnerability in GTKWave 3.3.115

Overview

The Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) system has recently identified a high-risk vulnerability within the GTKWave 3.3.115 software. This vulnerability, designated as CVE-2023-37282, exploits an out-of-bounds write flaw in the VZT LZMA_Read dmem extraction functionality. If successfully exploited, this vulnerability can lead to arbitrary code execution, potentially compromising an entire system or leading to data leakage. Its high severity score of 7.8, on a scale of 10, raises concerns among security professionals, especially those managing systems running the affected version of GTKWave.

Vulnerability Summary

CVE ID: CVE-2023-37282
Severity: High (7.8 CVSS Score)
Attack Vector: Local File
Privileges Required: None
User Interaction: Required
Impact: Arbitrary code execution, Potential system compromise, or data leakage

Affected Products

Product | Affected Versions

GTKWave | 3.3.115

How the Exploit Works

The exploit takes advantage of an out-of-bounds write vulnerability in the VZT LZMA_Read dmem extraction functionality of GTKWave 3.3.115. An attacker crafts a malicious .vzt file, which when opened by the unsuspecting user triggers the vulnerability, allowing the attacker to execute arbitrary code. The arbitrary code execution can then be used to manipulate the system, potentially leading to full system compromise or data leakage.

Conceptual Example Code

This is a conceptual example of how an attacker might craft a malicious .vzt file. Remember, this is pseudocode and won’t actually run.

# Create a malicious .vzt file
with open('malicious.vzt', 'wb') as f:
# Write out-of-bounds data to the file
f.write(b'x' * 1024 * 1024 * 1024)  # 1GB of 'x' characters

In this hypothetical scenario, the attacker creates a .vzt file filled with an excessively large amount of data. When this file is opened in GTKWave, it triggers the out-of-bounds write vulnerability, allowing the attacker to execute arbitrary code.

Mitigation Guidance

Users of the affected GTKWave version are advised to apply the vendor-released patch as soon as possible. In the interim, using a Web Application Firewall (WAF) or Intrusion Detection System (IDS) can serve as temporary mitigation. These tools can help detect and prevent malicious activity, reducing the risk of a successful exploit. Regularly updating and patching software is a critical aspect of maintaining a secure digital environment. Always be cautious when opening files from unknown or untrusted sources.