Author: Ameeba

Overview

The cybersecurity landscape is riddled with vulnerabilities that can wreak havoc on systems, compromise data, and disrupt operations. One such critical vulnerability has recently come to light, affecting the GTKWave software, specifically version 3.3.115. GTKWave is widely utilized for viewing waveform data produced by digital logic simulators, and the vulnerability identified has the potential to impact a broad range of users.
The CVE-2023-37420 vulnerability is of particular concern as it allows for arbitrary code execution, providing an attacker with the potential to compromise a system, steal sensitive data, or disrupt operations. The implications of this vulnerability are vast, affecting individual users, organizations, and potentially even critical infrastructure that relies on GTKWave.

Vulnerability Summary

CVE ID: CVE-2023-37420
Severity: High (7.8 CVSS score)
Attack Vector: Local File
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 vulnerability stems from multiple out-of-bounds write vulnerabilities that exist within the VCD parse_valuechange portdump functionality of GTKWave. The vulnerability can be triggered by a specially crafted .vcd file which, when opened, can potentially lead to arbitrary code execution. This exploit is specifically triggered via the vcd2lxt conversion utility.

Conceptual Example Code

While the exact nature of the exploit code is withheld to prevent misuse, the general concept involves crafting a .vcd file with specific malicious payloads that trigger the out-of-bounds write when the file is opened in GTKWave. The example below is a simplified representation and does not represent actual malicious code:

#Conceptual example of a malicious .vcd file
header = "..."
malicious_payload = "..." #Out-of-bounds write triggering payload
footer = "..."
with open("malicious.vcd", "w") as f:
f.write(header + malicious_payload + footer)

This file, when opened in a vulnerable version of GTKWave, would trigger the vulnerability, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution.

Mitigation Guidance

To mitigate the potential exploitation of this vulnerability, users are advised to apply the vendor-supplied patch as soon as it becomes available. In the interim, the use of Web Application Firewalls (WAF) and Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) can serve as a temporary mitigation measure by identifying and blocking attempts to exploit this vulnerability. It’s also recommended to avoid opening .vcd files from untrusted sources.

Overview

In this blog post, we are discussing a critical vulnerability, CVE-2023-37419, that affects the software GTKWave 3.3.115. This vulnerability is of particular concern because it can enable an attacker to execute arbitrary code, potentially leading to system compromise or data leakage. The affected software, GTKWave, is a waveform viewer that is widely used across many industries for debugging purposes. As such, a breach here could have far-reaching implications.

Vulnerability Summary

CVE ID: CVE-2023-37419
Severity: High (7.8 CVSS Score)
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 vulnerability lies in the VCD parse_valuechange portdump functionality of GTKWave 3.3.115. Specifically, multiple out-of-bounds write vulnerabilities exist, which can lead to arbitrary code execution. These vulnerabilities can be triggered via a vcd2lxt2 conversion utility.
An attacker can exploit this vulnerability by crafting a malicious .vcd file. When a victim opens this file, the vulnerabilities are triggered, potentially leading to the execution of arbitrary code with user privileges. This can lead to system compromise or data leakage.

Conceptual Example Code

Here is a conceptual example of how the vulnerability might be exploited. This is not actual exploit code but is meant to illustrate the general concept:

# Create a malicious .vcd file
$ echo "malicious code" > malicious.vcd
# Convert the .vcd file to .lxt2
$ vcd2lxt2 malicious.vcd malicious.lxt2
# Open the .lxt2 file in GTKWave
$ gtkwave malicious.lxt2

In this example, the “malicious code” would be replaced with actual harmful commands that are executed when the .lxt2 file is opened in GTKWave.
Remember always to apply vendor patches promptly and use WAF/IDS as a temporary mitigation. This will reduce the risk of exploitation and help to secure your systems against potential attacks.

Overview

The cybersecurity landscape is a dynamic battleground in which vulnerabilities often go unnoticed until they are exploited by malicious entities. One such vulnerability, identified as CVE-2023-37418, resides in the VCD parse_valuechange portdump functionality of GTKWave 3.3.115. This vulnerability presents a significant threat to any system that utilizes this version of GTKWave, as its exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution, potentially compromising the system or leading to data leakage.
The importance of understanding and addressing this vulnerability cannot be overstated. Its impact extends beyond single user systems to larger networks, making it a potential target for cybercriminals aiming to penetrate network defenses and compromise sensitive data.

Vulnerability Summary

CVE ID: CVE-2023-37418
Severity: High (7.8 CVSS Score)
Attack Vector: Local, Remote (via malicious .vcd file)
Privileges Required: None
User Interaction: Required (victim needs to open a malicious file)
Impact: Potential system compromise, data leakage

Affected Products

Product | Affected Versions

GTKWave | 3.3.115

How the Exploit Works

The exploitation of this vulnerability hinges on the out-of-bounds write vulnerabilities present in the VCD parse_valuechange portdump functionality of GTKWave 3.3.115. An attacker crafts a malicious .vcd file, which, when opened by the victim using the vcd2vzt conversion utility, triggers these vulnerabilities. As a result, the attacker can execute arbitrary code on the victim’s system, potentially leading to system compromise or data leakage.

Conceptual Example Code

Consider the following pseudocode, which illustrates how a malicious .vcd file could be crafted to exploit the vulnerability:

# Pseudo code to create a malicious .vcd file
vcd_file = create_vcd_file()
# Inserting malicious code that triggers the out-of-bounds write vulnerability
vcd_file.insert_code("malicious_code")
# Save the malicious .vcd file
vcd_file.save("malicious.vcd")

Upon the victim opening this malicious .vcd file using the vcd2vzt conversion utility, the malicious code is executed, leading to potential system compromise or data leakage.

Mitigation

Users affected by this vulnerability are strongly advised to apply the vendor patch as soon as it becomes available. In the interim, using a Web Application Firewall (WAF) or Intrusion Detection System (IDS) may serve as a temporary mitigation measure, potentially preventing the exploitation of this vulnerability. However, these are not foolproof solutions and should not be relied upon as permanent fixes. A comprehensive cybersecurity strategy, combined with regular system updates, is the most effective approach to protecting against such vulnerabilities.

Overview

In the world of cybersecurity, there are unfortunately constant threats that users must guard against. CVE-2023-37417 is one such vulnerability that presents a potent risk to users of the GTKWave 3.3.115. This vulnerability exposes users to potential system compromise, data leakage, and arbitrary code execution risks, making it a critical issue that needs immediate attention.
GTKWave is a popular open-source waveform viewer, largely utilized in the digital design field. The vulnerability in question affects the VCD parse_valuechange portdump functionality, allowing malicious individuals the ability to execute arbitrary code, potentially compromising the entire system and leading to data leaks. The severity of this issue cannot be overstated, given its potential for widespread damage.

Vulnerability Summary

CVE ID: CVE-2023-37417
Severity: High – CVSS Score 7.8
Attack Vector: Remote
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 takes advantage of an out-of-bound write condition in the VCD parse_valuechange portdump functionality of GTKWave 3.3.115. An attacker would need to craft a malicious .vcd file, designed to trigger the vulnerability. Once the malicious file is opened by the victim through the GUI’s interactive VCD parsing code, the attacker gains the ability to execute arbitrary code on the system, potentially leading to a full system compromise.

Conceptual Example Code

The following is a conceptual example of a malicious .vcd file content, designed to exploit the vulnerability:

$timescale 1 ns $end
$scope module logic $end
$var wire 1 ! clk $end
$var wire 64 # data $end
$var wire 1 $ en $end
$upscope $end
$enddefinitions $end
#0
0!
bxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx #
1$

In the above example, the “bxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx #” string represents an oversize binary value, specifically crafted to trigger the out-of-bound write condition, leading to arbitrary code execution.

Mitigation Guidance

Users are advised to apply the patch provided by the vendor as soon as possible. In the absence of a patch, or as a temporary mitigation measure, deploying a Web Application Firewall (WAF) or Intrusion Detection System (IDS) can help to detect and prevent exploitation of this vulnerability. It is also strongly recommended that users avoid opening .vcd files from untrusted sources.

Overview

The cybersecurity landscape continues to evolve and new vulnerabilities are discovered daily. One such vulnerability, identified as CVE-2023-37416, affects GTKWave 3.3.115, a popular open-source waveform viewer. This vulnerability is of significant concern due to the potential for arbitrary code execution, leading to potential system compromise or data leakage.
GTKWave is widely used in numerous industries for viewing and debugging digital waveforms, and the vulnerability presents an alarming threat to all users of the software. The out-of-bounds write vulnerability manifests in the VCD parse_valuechange portdump functionality of GTKWave, and activation of this vulnerability requires a user to open a maliciously crafted .vcd file.

Vulnerability Summary

CVE ID: CVE-2023-37416
Severity: High (CVSS: 7.8)
Attack Vector: Local
Privileges Required: Low
User Interaction: Required
Impact: System compromise and potential data leakage

Affected Products

Product | Affected Versions

GTKWave | 3.3.115

How the Exploit Works

The vulnerability lies in the VCD parse_valuechange portdump functionality of GTKWave. An attacker crafts a malicious .vcd file that exploits the out-of-bounds write vulnerability, leading to arbitrary code execution. In essence, the exploit works by manipulating the way GTKWave parses .vcd files, thereby causing an overflow that allows the attacker to execute arbitrary code.

Conceptual Example Code

Given the nature of this vulnerability, a .vcd file with malicious code could be used to exploit this flaw. A conceptual example of this might look something like this:
“`shell
// malicious.vcd
$dumpvars
$end
#0
bxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

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.

Overview

A significant vulnerability, CVE-2023-36915, has been identified in the popular waveform viewer GTKWave version 3.3.115. This application is extensively used in the electronics industry for viewing and debugging digital logic simulations, making it a prime target for cyber attackers. The vulnerability is of a high severity level, underlining the importance of immediate attention and mitigation.
The risk lies in multiple integer overflow vulnerabilities that exist in the FST fstReaderIterBlocks2 chain_table allocation functionality of GTKWave. An attacker can exploit this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code, potentially leading to system compromise or data leakage. The affected users need to be aware of this vulnerability and take immediate steps to mitigate the potential risks.

Vulnerability Summary

CVE ID: CVE-2023-36915
Severity: High (CVSS: 7.8)
Attack Vector: Local
Privileges Required: Low
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 arises from multiple integer overflow vulnerabilities in the GTKWave’s FST fstReaderIterBlocks2 chain_table allocation functionality. An attacker can craft a malicious .fst file that, when opened by an unsuspecting user, causes an integer overflow. This overflow can lead to an oversized allocation for the `chain_table` array, potentially causing a buffer overflow. The attacker can then exploit this overflow to execute arbitrary code of their choice, thus compromising the system or leading to data leakage.

Conceptual Example Code

In a conceptual scenario, an attacker might craft a malicious .fst file with the following pseudocode:

int main() {
int size = INT_MAX;
chain_table = malloc(size);
if(chain_table == NULL) {
printf("Failed to allocate chain_table\n");
exit(1);
}
// The attacker would then populate the `chain_table` array with malicious code.
}

Upon opening this malicious .fst file, the `chain_table` array would overflow. If the attacker has appropriately crafted the overflow, they could execute arbitrary code, leading to system compromise or data leakage.
To mitigate this vulnerability, users of GTKWave 3.3.115 should apply the vendor patch immediately. If a patch is not yet available, users can use a Web Application Firewall (WAF) or Intrusion Detection System (IDS) as a temporary mitigation measure.

Overview

In the ever-evolving landscape of cybersecurity, a new vulnerability has been detected within the GTKWave 3.3.115 version. This vulnerability, officially recognized as CVE-2023-36864, presents a significant risk due to its potential for allowing arbitrary code execution and subsequent system compromise or data leakage. The vulnerability affects users utilizing the GTKWave software, a fully featured GTK+ based wave viewer primarily intended for the viewing of VCD files (Value Change Dump) generated by various digital simulation tools. This issue is of particular concern due to the broad user base of the software, ranging from individual users to large organizations, and the consequential potential for unauthorized access, system compromise, and data leakage.

Vulnerability Summary

CVE ID: CVE-2023-36864
Severity: High – 7.8 (CVSS Severity Score)
Attack Vector: File-based
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

The vulnerability lies within the ‘fstReaderIterBlocks2 temp_signal_value_buf’ allocation functionality of GTKWave 3.3.115. An integer overflow can occur when processing a specially crafted .fst file, leading to an out-of-bounds write and eventually arbitrary code execution. The exploitation of this vulnerability requires user interaction, meaning a victim would need to open the malicious .fst file for the vulnerability to trigger.

Conceptual Example Code

Here’s a conceptual representation of how this vulnerability might be exploited. Please note that this is a simplified pseudocode example and actual exploitation would require more complex code.

# Pseudocode for exploit
malicious_fst_file = create_malicious_fst_file() # Function that creates a malicious .fst file
def exploit(target):
send_file(target, malicious_fst_file) # Function that sends the malicious file to the target
exploit(target)

In this example, a malicious .fst file is created and sent to the target. If the target opens the file using GTKWave, the integer overflow vulnerability is triggered, leading to a potential arbitrary code execution.
It’s crucial to note that users and organizations should apply the vendor-released patch immediately or use WAF/IDS as temporary mitigation to this vulnerability.

Overview

The Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) system has identified an out-of-bounds write vulnerability in the VZT LZMA_read_varint function of GTKWave version 3.3.115. This vulnerability, designated as CVE-2023-36861, is particularly severe as it can potentially lead to arbitrary code execution. What this means is that an attacker could take control of the affected system, compromising its integrity and confidentiality. The vulnerability impacts any system running the affected version of GTKWave, which is widely used for viewing waveforms from digital circuits.

Vulnerability Summary

CVE ID: CVE-2023-36861
Severity: High (7.8 CVSS Score)
Attack Vector: .vzt file
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 vulnerability lies within the VZT LZMA_read_varint functionality of GTKWave. An attacker can exploit this vulnerability by crafting a malicious .vzt file. When this file is opened by a victim in GTKWave, it triggers an out-of-bounds write error. This error can then be leveraged to execute arbitrary code on the victim’s system. The exact technical details of this process can vary depending on the specific implementation of the exploit, but the general method involves manipulating the data within the .vzt file in such a way that it causes the program to write to an unintended memory location.

Conceptual Example Code

Below is a simplified conceptual example of how the vulnerability could be exploited. This pseudocode demonstrates how a .vzt file could be maliciously crafted:

# Pseudocode for crafting a malicious .vzt file
file = open("malicious.vzt", "wb")
# Write data to the file that will trigger an out-of-bounds write in GTKWave
file.write(b'crafted_data_that_causes_out_of_bounds_write')
# Write the arbitrary code that will be executed
file.write(b'arbitrary_code_to_execute')
file.close()

It should be noted that the actual exploit would be much more complex and require a deep understanding of the GTKWave software and the system it is running on.

Mitigation Guidance

To mitigate this vulnerability, users of GTKWave should apply the vendor-released patch as soon as possible. If that is not immediately possible, temporary mitigation can be achieved by using a Web Application Firewall (WAF) or an Intrusion Detection System (IDS) to filter out malicious .vzt files. However, these measures should not be relied upon as a long-term solution. They are only meant to provide temporary relief until the official patch can be applied.