CVE-2023-38583: Stack-Based Buffer Overflow Vulnerability in GTKWave 3.3.115

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.