{"id":35666,"date":"2025-05-06T14:23:53","date_gmt":"2025-05-06T14:23:53","guid":{"rendered":""},"modified":"2025-05-21T11:17:37","modified_gmt":"2025-05-21T11:17:37","slug":"cve-2023-35997-arbitrary-code-execution-vulnerability-in-gtkwave","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ameeba.com\/blog\/cve-2023-35997-arbitrary-code-execution-vulnerability-in-gtkwave\/","title":{"rendered":"CVE-2023-35997: Arbitrary Code Execution Vulnerability in GTKWave<\/strong>"},"content":{"rendered":"

Overview<\/strong><\/p>\n

The vulnerability CVE-2023-35997 has been identified in the software GTKWave 3.3.115 and poses a serious threat to system security. This vulnerability is caused by multiple improper array index validation vulnerabilities within the fstReaderIterBlocks2 tdelta functionality of GTKWave. The exploitation of these vulnerabilities could result in arbitrary code execution<\/a>, potentially leading to system compromise and data leakage. The severity of this breach makes it of high importance to any organization or individual using this software.<\/p>\n

Vulnerability Summary<\/strong><\/p>\n

CVE ID: CVE-2023-35997
\nSeverity: High (7.8)
\nAttack Vector: File
\nPrivileges Required: None
\nUser Interaction: Required
\nImpact: System compromise<\/a> or data leakage<\/p>\n

Affected Products<\/strong><\/p>\n

Product | Affected Versions<\/p>\n

GTKWave | 3.3.115<\/p>\n

How the Exploit Works<\/strong><\/p>\n

The exploit works by targeting the tdelta functionality in the fstReaderIterBlocks2 of GTKWave. It is able to do this through the use of a specially crafted .fst file. When a victim opens this file, improper array index validation vulnerabilities are triggered, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution<\/a>. This is especially concerning when signal_lens is 2 or more.<\/p>\n

Conceptual Example Code<\/strong><\/p>\n

While an actual code exploiting this vulnerability<\/a> is not provided for safety reasons, a conceptual example might look something like this:<\/p>\n

# Create a malicious .fst file\necho \"[malicious code]\" > exploit.fst\n# Use the malicious .fst file with GTKWave\ngtkwave exploit.fst<\/code><\/pre>\n
This pseudocode suggests the creation of a malicious .fst file containing code designed to exploit the improper array index validation vulnerabilities<\/a> in the tdelta functionality of fstReaderIterBlocks2. The second line simulates a victim opening the malicious .fst file with GTKWave, triggering the vulnerability and potentially leading<\/a> to arbitrary code execution.<\/p>\n
Mitigation<\/strong><\/p>\n
Users are advised to apply the vendor patch as soon as it’s available. In the meantime, using a Web Application Firewall (WAF) or Intrusion Detection System (IDS) can serve as a temporary mitigation. Regularly updating your software and maintaining good cybersecurity practices can also reduce the risk<\/a> of falling victim to such vulnerabilities.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Overview The vulnerability CVE-2023-35997 has been identified in the software GTKWave 3.3.115 and poses a serious threat to system security. This vulnerability is caused by multiple improper array index validation vulnerabilities within the fstReaderIterBlocks2 tdelta functionality of GTKWave. The exploitation of these vulnerabilities could result in arbitrary code execution, potentially leading to system compromise and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"vendor":[],"product":[],"attack_vector":[80],"asset_type":[],"severity":[],"exploit_status":[],"class_list":["post-35666","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","attack_vector-rce"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t