CVE-2023-35961: OS Command Injection Vulnerabilities in GTKWave 3.3.115

Overview

In the sphere of cybersecurity, the discovery of new vulnerabilities is an event of considerable importance, often leading to intense efforts to mitigate potential damage. One such vulnerability, recently identified and designated as CVE-2023-35961, affects the popular GTKWave 3.3.115. This vulnerability pertains to multiple Operating System (OS) command injection vulnerabilities in the decompression functionality of the software. The repercussions of these vulnerabilities are severe and could enable an attacker to execute arbitrary commands, potentially leading to full system compromise or data leakage.

Vulnerability Summary

CVE ID: CVE-2023-35961
Severity: High (7.8 CVSS Score)
Attack Vector: Local
Privileges Required: Low
User Interaction: Required
Impact: System compromise, Data leakage

Affected Products

Product | Affected Versions

GTKWave | 3.3.115

How the Exploit Works

These vulnerabilities stem from the software’s decompression functionality, specifically in `vcd_recorder_main`. A malefactor can craft a malicious wave file designed to trigger arbitrary command execution when the victim opens it. This means that the attacker can potentially run any command they wish on the victim’s system, leading to a multitude of potential security threats, such as unauthorized system access, data theft, and even full system control.

Conceptual Example Code

The following is a conceptual example of how the vulnerability might be exploited. This is a simplified scenario wherein a malicious wave file is sent to the victim, which, when opened in GTKWave, triggers an arbitrary command.

# Conceptual command to create a malicious wave file
$ echo "malicious_command" > malicious.wave
# Send malicious.wave to victim...
# Victim opens malicious.wave in GTKWave, triggering the arbitrary command

Please note that this is a broad simplification of the exploit process, which could involve more complex commands and may require specific conditions on the victim’s system.

Recommendations for Mitigation

In light of the severity of this vulnerability, it is crucial to apply the vendor patch at the earliest opportunity. This patch addresses the vulnerabilities directly, providing the most effective method of protection. In the meantime, temporary mitigation can be achieved by using a Web Application Firewall (WAF) or an Intrusion Detection System (IDS). These systems can monitor and filter traffic to identify potential attacks, providing a layer of defense against this exploit.