Author: Ameeba

Overview

The CVE-2023-38583 vulnerability is a critical flaw in the GTKWave 3.3.115 software that could potentially lead to arbitrary code execution, system compromise, and data leakage. The vulnerability is triggered when a user opens a malicious .lxt2 file, allowing attackers to exploit a stack-based buffer overflow in the LXT2 lxt2_rd_expand_integer_to_bits function. This vulnerability carries a significant severity score of 7.8 and could affect a wide array of systems and users, particularly those who routinely handle .lxt2 files in their workflows.

Vulnerability Summary

CVE ID: CVE-2023-38583
Severity: High – CVSS score 7.8
Attack Vector: Local file
Privileges Required: None
User Interaction: Required
Impact: Arbitrary code execution, potential system compromise, and data leakage

Affected Products

Product | Affected Versions

GTKWave | 3.3.115

How the Exploit Works

This vulnerability is a classic example of a stack-based buffer overflow. The offending function, lxt2_rd_expand_integer_to_bits, does not properly handle certain .lxt2 files, leading to an overflow condition. This overflow can overwrite other data on the stack, including function return addresses. If an attacker crafts a .lxt2 file to cause this overflow and overwrite the return address with a pointer to malicious code, they can execute arbitrary code.

Conceptual Example Code

While the exact details of the exploit are beyond the scope of this article, a conceptual shell command that demonstrates the basic idea might look like this:

$ gtkwave malicious.lxt2

In this example, `malicious.lxt2` is a specially crafted .lxt2 file that triggers the buffer overflow and executes the attacker’s code. Note that this is a simplified representation and the actual process would likely involve more complex manipulations of the stack memory.

Mitigation

Users of GTKWave 3.3.115 are advised to apply the vendor patch as soon as it becomes available. In the meantime, the utilization of a Web Application Firewall (WAF) or Intrusion Detection System (IDS) can offer temporary mitigation until the patch can be applied. These security measures can help detect and block attempts to exploit this vulnerability.
In general, all users, regardless of whether they are directly affected by this vulnerability, should remain vigilant and exercise caution when opening files from untrusted sources. This includes verifying the source of the files and using up-to-date security software to scan files for potential threats.

Overview

In the vast landscape of cybersecurity, exploits and vulnerabilities are a constant concern for organizations. One such vulnerability, identified as CVE-2023-37923, poses a significant risk to users of GTKWave 3.3.115. This vulnerability is due to multiple arbitrary write vulnerabilities in the VCD sorted bsearch functionality of GTKWave. If leveraged, an attacker could execute arbitrary code, potentially leading to system compromise or data leakage.
This vulnerability holds particular importance as it affects a popular waveform viewer used in digital design. Anyone using the vulnerable version of the software and processing a malicious .vcd file could be at risk. The severity of the potential impact underscores the importance of understanding this vulnerability and taking immediate steps towards mitigation.

Vulnerability Summary

CVE ID: CVE-2023-37923
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 exploit works by leveraging the arbitrary write vulnerabilities present in the VCD sorted bsearch functionality of GTKWave. An attacker crafts a specially designed .vcd file, which, when processed by the vulnerable software, can lead to arbitrary code execution.
This is possible due to improper validation of the user-supplied data within the .vcd file. When the victim opens this malicious file using the vcd2lxt conversion utility, the software fails to correctly handle the data, leading to arbitrary write operations that can ultimately result in arbitrary code execution.

Conceptual Example Code

Below is a conceptual representation of the malicious .vcd file, which triggers the vulnerability when opened in the GTKWave software:

$timescale 1 ns $end
$scope module EXAMPLE $end
$var wire 1 ! output $end
$var wire 1 " input $end
$var wire 1 # inout $end
$upscope $end
$enddefinitions $end
#1
0!
1"
1#

This pseudocode represents a .vcd file that contains a waveform description with malicious content. When processed by the GTKWave software, it triggers the arbitrary write vulnerability, leading to potential arbitrary code execution.

Mitigation

To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2023-37923, it is recommended to apply the vendor patch as soon as it becomes available. In the meantime, a Web Application Firewall (WAF) or Intrusion Detection System (IDS) can serve as a temporary mitigation measure. These systems can help detect and block malicious .vcd files, preventing potential system compromise or data leakage.

Overview

A high severity vulnerability (CVE-2023-37922) has been discovered in the VCD sorted bsearch functionality of GTKWave 3.3.115. This vulnerability could potentially allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code on the victim’s system. With a CVSS severity score of 7.8, it’s clear that this issue could lead to serious consequences, such as system compromise or data leakage. It is especially worrisome as it solely requires the victim to open a specially crafted malicious .vcd file to trigger the vulnerabilities. The broad user base of GTKWave, which is commonly used for examining and debugging digital waveforms, makes this vulnerability a significant cybersecurity concern.

Vulnerability Summary

CVE ID: CVE-2023-37922
Severity: High (CVSS: 7.8)
Attack Vector: Local
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 multiple arbitrary write vulnerabilities in the VCD sorted bsearch functionality of GTKWave. An attacker crafts a malicious .vcd file designed to trigger these vulnerabilities. When the victim opens this file, the vcd2lxt2 conversion utility is invoked, which in turn triggers the arbitrary write. This allows the attacker to execute arbitrary code on the victim’s system, potentially compromising the system or leading to data leakage.

Conceptual Example Code

While this example is conceptual and may not represent an actual exploit, it provides an idea of how an attacker might craft a malicious .vcd file to exploit the vulnerability:

# Create a malicious .vcd file
echo "binary_dumpfile_width 1" > malicious.vcd
echo "$var wire 1 ! signal" >> malicious.vcd
echo "$upscope" >> malicious.vcd
echo "$enddefinitions" >> malicious.vcd
# Crafted payload to trigger arbitrary write
echo "#1" >> malicious.vcd
echo "b1 !" >> malicious.vcd

An unsuspecting user running this malicious .vcd file with vcd2lxt2 would trigger the arbitrary write vulnerabilities, leading to arbitrary code execution.

Mitigation

In light of this vulnerability, users of GTKWave version 3.3.115 are strongly advised to apply the vendor patch as soon as it becomes available. In the meantime, using a Web Application Firewall (WAF) or Intrusion Detection System (IDS) can serve as a temporary mitigation measure. These systems can help detect and block attempts to exploit this vulnerability, reducing the risk of a successful attack.

Overview

The Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures system has identified a critical vulnerability in GTKWave 3.3.115, a popular open-source software program for viewing digital timing waveforms. The vulnerability, designated CVE-2023-37921, involves multiple arbitrary write vulnerabilities in the VCD sorted bsearch functionality of GTKWave. If exploited, these vulnerabilities could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code, potentially leading to system compromise or data leakage. It’s critical for users and administrators of systems running GTKWave 3.3.115 to understand and address this vulnerability to maintain the security and integrity of their systems.

Vulnerability Summary

CVE ID: CVE-2023-37921
Severity: High, CVSS score 7.8
Attack Vector: .vcd file
Privileges Required: User level
User Interaction: Required
Impact: Potential system compromise or data leakage

Affected Products

Product | Affected Versions

GTKWave | 3.3.115

How the Exploit Works

The exploit works by taking advantage of the VCD sorted bsearch functionality in GTKWave 3.3.115. An attacker crafts a malicious .vcd file, which when opened in the GTKWave software, triggers arbitrary write vulnerabilities. This allows the attacker to execute arbitrary code on the victim’s system. The vulnerability is triggered via the vcd2vzt conversion utility, which means that any user who opens the malicious file will inadvertently trigger the exploit.

Conceptual Example Code

Let’s assume that the malicious .vcd file contains a special payload designed to exploit this vulnerability. A pseudocode example of such a payload might look like this:

# malicious payload within .vcd file
payload = {
'command': 'arbitrary code here',
'trigger': 'vcd2vzt conversion utility'
}
# function to write the payload to a target file
def exploit(target_file, payload):
with open(target_file, 'w') as f:
f.write(payload)

This hypothetical payload, when processed by the vcd2vzt conversion utility within GTKWave, would trigger the arbitrary write vulnerabilities and execute the arbitrary code specified in the payload.

Remediation and Mitigation

The best course of action to protect against CVE-2023-37921 is to apply the vendor patch. As an interim measure before the patch is applied, or if the patch cannot be applied for some reason, using a Web Application Firewall (WAF) or Intrusion Detection System (IDS) can provide a temporary mitigation against the exploit. However, these measures are not a substitute for patching and updating the software.

Overview

We are delving into the details of a serious vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-37578. This vulnerability is present in the popular waveform viewer and simulator, GTKWave, specifically version 3.3.115. This vulnerability arises from multiple use-after-free conditions within the VCD get_vartoken realloc functionality. Its severity is underscored by the potential for arbitrary code execution, which could lead to system compromise and data leakage. Victims are at risk if they open a specially crafted, malicious .vcd file. As such, users of GTKWave, especially those dealing with untrusted .vcd files, should be aware of and take immediate steps to mitigate this risk.

Vulnerability Summary

CVE ID: CVE-2023-37578
Severity: High (CVSS: 7.8)
Attack Vector: Local
Privileges Required: User
User Interaction: Required
Impact: Arbitrary code execution, potential system compromise, and data leakage.

Affected Products

Product | Affected Versions

GTKWave | 3.3.115

How the Exploit Works

The vulnerability lies in the VCD get_vartoken realloc functionality of GTKWave. In this context, realloc is used to adjust the size of a block of memory that was previously allocated. The issue stems from a use-after-free condition, which occurs when a program continues to use a pointer after it has been freed.
A malicious actor can exploit this vulnerability by creating a specially crafted .vcd file. When this file is opened in GTKWave, specifically during the vcd2lxt conversion process, the use-after-free condition can be triggered, allowing for arbitrary code execution. This can potentially compromise the system and result in data leakage.

Conceptual Example Code

While the exact exploit code is not provided for ethical and security reasons, the conceptual example below illustrates the process an attacker may follow:

#1. Craft a malicious .vcd file
echo "malicious_code" > malicious.vcd
#2. Send or make the malicious .vcd file available to the victim
#3. The victim opens the malicious .vcd file with GTKWave 3.3.115
GTKWave -vcd malicious.vcd
#4. The use-after-free vulnerability is triggered, executing the malicious code

It’s important to note that this is a simplified example and actual exploitation would involve a more complex and specifically crafted malicious .vcd file.

Overview

The Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) system has recently identified a high-severity vulnerability, CVE-2023-37577, in the popular GTKWave open-source waveform viewer version 3.3.115. This vulnerability, which involves multiple use-after-free issues, affects users who open specially crafted .vcd files and can lead to arbitrary code execution. Given the widespread use of waveform viewers in diverse industries such as electronics and software development, this vulnerability carries significant risk and warrants immediate attention.

Vulnerability Summary

CVE ID: CVE-2023-37577
Severity: High (CVSS 7.8)
Attack Vector: Opening a malicious .vcd file
Privileges Required: None
User Interaction: Required
Impact: Arbitrary code execution leading to potential system compromise or data leakage

Affected Products

Product | Affected Versions

GTKWave | 3.3.115

How the Exploit Works

The vulnerability exists in the VCD get_vartoken realloc functionality of GTKWave 3.3.115. When a user opens a specially crafted .vcd file, the program wrongly reallocates memory for certain objects, which can then be freed while still in use. This creates ‘dangling pointers,’ referencing memory that has been freed or reallocated. An attacker can exploit these use-after-free vulnerabilities to cause the program to execute arbitrary code, potentially compromising the system or leaking sensitive data.

Conceptual Example Code

Below is a conceptual representation of how the malicious .vcd file might be structured. This example is only intended to provide a high-level understanding of the exploit and is not a functioning exploit.

// Malicious .vcd file pseudocode
BEGIN_VCD
VERSION "GTKWave 3.3.115"
TIMESCALE 1ns
SCOPE module top
VAR wire 1 ! clk
VAR wire 1 " data
UPSCOPE
END
$dumpvars
0!
0"

In this example, the malicious .vcd file is crafted in a way that causes the VCD get_vartoken realloc functionality to create a use-after-free condition, which can then be exploited to execute arbitrary code.

Mitigation

Users are advised to apply the vendor patch as soon as it becomes available. Until then, using a Web Application Firewall (WAF) or Intrusion Detection System (IDS) can serve as temporary mitigation, potentially blocking or detecting attempts to exploit this vulnerability.

Overview

The CVE-2023-37576 is an alarming vulnerability that exists within the GTKWave 3.3.115, specifically in its VCD get_vartoken realloc functionality. This vulnerability is predominantly characterized by multiple use-after-free vulnerabilities that can be exploited through a specially crafted .vcd file. The exploitation could potentially lead to arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability primarily affects users of the GTKWave software and matters significantly due to its capacity to compromise the system or lead to data leakage.

Vulnerability Summary

CVE ID: CVE-2023-37576
Severity: High – CVSS: 7.8
Attack Vector: File-based
Privileges Required: None
User Interaction: Required (opening a malicious file)
Impact: Potential system compromise or data leakage

Affected Products

Product | Affected Versions

GTKWave | 3.3.115

How the Exploit Works

The exploit leverages a series of use-after-free vulnerabilities present in the VCD get_vartoken realloc functionality of GTKWave 3.3.115. A threat actor can craft a malicious .vcd file that, when opened by the victim, triggers these vulnerabilities. The exploitation of these vulnerabilities can potentially lead to arbitrary code execution, which in turn could result in a total system compromise or leakage of sensitive data.

Conceptual Example Code

The actual exploit code would be specific to the .vcd file format and would require detailed knowledge of GTKWave’s VCD parsing implementation. However, the general concept of a use-after-free exploit can be illustrated as follows:

char *ptr = malloc(10);
free(ptr);
// Time passes and the program continues execution
// The attacker manages to use 'ptr' after it has been freed
strcpy(ptr, "Exploit");

In this simplified example, a memory space is allocated (using ‘malloc’) and then freed (using ‘free’). However, the pointer to that memory space is still accessible later in the program. If an attacker can manipulate the program’s execution to reach this point, they could potentially insert malicious code or data at the location pointed to by ‘ptr’, leading to unexpected behavior or even arbitrary code execution.

Mitigation and Recommendations

The most effective mitigation for this vulnerability is to apply the vendor-supplied patch which fixes the use-after-free vulnerabilities in GTKWave’s VCD parsing code. If a patch cannot be applied immediately, temporary mitigation can be achieved by using a Web Application Firewall (WAF) or an Intrusion Detection System (IDS) to block or detect attempted exploits.
In addition to these specific measures, it is always good practice to be cautious when opening files from unknown or untrusted sources. It is especially important to be wary of .vcd files, as these are the vector through which the CVE-2023-37576 vulnerability is exploited.

Overview

The cybersecurity landscape has once again been shaken by the discovery of a new critical vulnerability, tagged as CVE-2025-4096. This flaw is found in the HTML processing component of Google Chrome versions earlier than 136.0.7103.59. The vulnerability, a classic case of heap buffer overflow, could potentially be exploited by a remote attacker to cause heap corruption via a specially crafted HTML page. This opens up the possibility for system compromise and data leakage, hence its high severity rating. Given the widespread use of Google Chrome, this vulnerability can affect a vast number of systems globally, making it a high-priority concern for IT professionals, developers, and end-users alike.

Vulnerability Summary

CVE ID: CVE-2025-4096
Severity: High (8.8 CVSS Score)
Attack Vector: Network (via crafted HTML page)
Privileges Required: None
User Interaction: Required (User must visit the malicious webpage)
Impact: Potential system compromise and data leakage

Affected Products

Product | Affected Versions

Google Chrome | Prior to 136.0.7103.59

How the Exploit Works

The exploit works by a remote attacker creating a malicious HTML page that utilizes specific code to overflow the heap buffer in Google Chrome. With a carefully crafted payload, the attacker can cause heap corruption, which could lead to arbitrary code execution. This means the attacker could potentially gain unauthorized access to the system or leak sensitive data.

Conceptual Example Code

Here is a basic conceptual example of a malicious HTML payload:

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<body>
<script>
var overflow = new Array(4294967296);
for (var i = 0; i < overflow.length; i++) {
overflow[i] = 'A';
}
document.write(overflow);
</script>
</body>
</html>

In this example, the script creates an array (`overflow`) with a size that exceeds the limit of the heap buffer. It then fills this array with a simple ‘A’ character, causing the buffer to overflow and the heap to corrupt.
Please note that this is a conceptual example, and the actual code to exploit the vulnerability would require more complexity. However, this basic example illustrates how the vulnerability could potentially be exploited.

Mitigation Guidance

The recommended mitigation for this vulnerability is to apply the vendor patch. Google has released a security update (version 136.0.7103.59) that addresses this vulnerability. Users and administrators are strongly advised to apply this update as soon as possible. As a temporary mitigation, using a Web Application Firewall (WAF) or Intrusion Detection System (IDS) can help detect and block attempts to exploit this vulnerability. However, these measures are not a long-term solution and can’t replace the need for the official patch.

Overview

In this post, we will be examining the CVE-2023-37575 vulnerability-a series of use-after-free vulnerabilities found in the VCD get_vartoken realloc functionality of GTKWave 3.3.115. This vulnerability is notable due to its ability to allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code on a system. The exploitation of this vulnerability requires a victim to open a maliciously crafted .vcd file, making it a potential threat to users and systems that handle .vcd files.
This vulnerability is significant not only because of the potential damage it can cause, but also because of its relative simplicity; it requires only user interaction for successful execution, making it a dangerous vector for attacks aiming to compromise systems or leak sensitive data.

Vulnerability Summary

CVE ID: CVE-2023-37575
Severity: High (CVSS: 7.8)
Attack Vector: Local
Privileges Required: None
User Interaction: Required
Impact: Potential system compromise and data leakage

Affected Products

Product | Affected Versions

GTKWave | 3.3.115

How the Exploit Works

The use-after-free vulnerabilities in the VCD get_vartoken realloc functionality of GTKWave 3.3.115 occur when the software uses a pointer after the system has freed the memory it points to. When a victim opens a specially crafted .vcd file, an attacker can manipulate the memory allocation to execute arbitrary code. This code execution can lead to a system compromise or potential data leakage, depending on the attacker’s intent.

Conceptual Example Code

Below is a conceptual example of how the vulnerability might be exploited. In this case, the attacker creates a malicious .vcd file that triggers the use-after-free vulnerability when opened.

# Pseudocode
Create malicious_vcd_file.vcd
{
Manipulate memory allocation via get_vartoken realloc function
Inject arbitrary malicious code
}
Send malicious_vcd_file.vcd to victim
{
Victim opens malicious_vcd_file.vcd
Arbitrary malicious code executes leading to potential system compromise or data leakage
}

Please note that this is a conceptual example and may not reflect the exact method an attacker might use to exploit this vulnerability. It is intended to illustrate the basic principle of the exploit and should not be used for malicious purposes.

Mitigation Guidance

To mitigate the risks associated with the CVE-2023-37575 vulnerability, users and administrators are advised to apply vendor patches as soon as they become available. In the absence of a patch, using a Web Application Firewall (WAF) or Intrusion Detection System (IDS) can serve as a temporary mitigation measure. These measures can protect against the arbitrary code execution that forms the basis of the exploit. However, they should serve only as an interim solution until a more permanent fix can be applied.

Overview

In the ever-evolving landscape of cybersecurity, a new vulnerability has been identified in Google Chrome’s DevTools. This vulnerability, tagged as CVE-2025-4052, has the potential to compromise systems and leak sensitive data. It is significant due to its capacity to bypass discretionary access control, thereby providing an avenue for remote attackers to exploit. This vulnerability primarily affects users of Google Chrome prior to version 136.0.7103.59. As Google Chrome is one of the most widely used web browsers globally, this vulnerability could potentially affect millions of users, emphasizing the need for immediate attention and remediation.

Vulnerability Summary

CVE ID: CVE-2025-4052
Severity: Critical, CVSS score of 9.8
Attack Vector: Remote
Privileges Required: None
User Interaction: Required
Impact: This vulnerability could potentially lead to system compromise and data leakage.

Affected Products

Product | Affected Versions

Google Chrome | Versions prior to 136.0.7103.59

How the Exploit Works

This exploit involves a remote attacker crafting a particular HTML page and convincing a user to perform specific UI gestures on this page. By doing so, the attacker can bypass discretionary access control through Google Chrome’s DevTools‘ inappropriate implementation. This bypass can result in unauthorized data access, potentially leading to system compromise or data leakage.

Conceptual Example Code

Here is a
conceptual
example of how a malicious HTML page might be structured to exploit this vulnerability:

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<body>
<h1>Click here to win a prize!</h1>
<button onclick="exploitFunction()">Click me!</button>
<script>
function exploitFunction() {
// This is where the malicious code would be inserted
// that takes advantage of the vulnerability in Chrome's DevTools
}
</script>
</body>
</html>

This code illustrates a button that, when clicked, executes a function containing the exploit. This function would contain the malicious code that interacts with Chrome’s DevTools, bypassing access control and compromising the system.

Countermeasures and Mitigation

Users are strongly advised to apply the vendor patch provided by Google for Chrome version 136.0.7103.59. In the meantime, using a Web Application Firewall (WAF) or Intrusion Detection System (IDS) can serve as a temporary mitigation strategy. These tools can help detect and block potential exploit attempts, offering a layer of protection while the patch is being applied.
The CVE-2025-4052 vulnerability underscores the importance of regular patching and updating software. Regularly checking for updates and applying them promptly can prevent the exploitation of known vulnerabilities, effectively reducing the risk of a security breach.