{"id":37120,"date":"2025-05-11T09:10:50","date_gmt":"2025-05-11T09:10:50","guid":{"rendered":""},"modified":"2025-09-08T17:18:58","modified_gmt":"2025-09-08T23:18:58","slug":"cve-2023-38657-out-of-bounds-write-vulnerability-in-gtkwave-lxt2-zlib-block-decompression","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ameeba.com\/blog\/cve-2023-38657-out-of-bounds-write-vulnerability-in-gtkwave-lxt2-zlib-block-decompression\/","title":{"rendered":"<strong>CVE-2023-38657: Out-of-Bounds Write Vulnerability in GTKWave LXT2 Zlib Block Decompression<\/strong>"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>Overview<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The recently discovered vulnerability, CVE-2023-38657, poses a significant threat to users of GTKWave version 3.3.115. The software, primarily used for viewing waveforms generated by digital circuits, has an out-of-bounds write vulnerability in the LXT2 zlib block decompression functionality. This <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ameeba.com\/blog\/cve-2023-35995-gtkwave-array-index-validation-vulnerability-leading-to-arbitrary-code-execution\/\"  data-wpil-monitor-id=\"42018\">vulnerability has the potential to compromise systems and lead<\/a> to data leakage. The discovery of this <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ameeba.com\/blog\/cve-2025-0984-critical-file-upload-and-xss-vulnerability-in-netoloji-software-e-flow\/\"  data-wpil-monitor-id=\"43970\">vulnerability underscores the importance of regular software<\/a> updates and the need for proactive cybersecurity measures.<br \/>\nThe <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ameeba.com\/blog\/cve-2025-24351-remote-logging-vulnerability-in-ctrlx-os-can-lead-to-root-level-system-compromise\/\"  data-wpil-monitor-id=\"42169\">vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it could lead<\/a> to arbitrary code execution. This happens when a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ameeba.com\/blog\/cve-2025-3054-arbitrary-file-upload-vulnerability-in-wp-user-frontend-pro-plugin-for-wordpress\/\"  data-wpil-monitor-id=\"59245\">user opens a specially crafted .lxt2 file<\/a>. This type of file is commonly used by GTKWave, making the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ameeba.com\/blog\/cve-2025-1304-unauthorized-file-upload-vulnerability-in-newsblogger-wordpress-theme\/\"  data-wpil-monitor-id=\"42420\">vulnerability a significant threat to any user who opens files<\/a> from an untrusted source.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Vulnerability Summary<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>CVE ID: CVE-2023-38657<br \/>\nSeverity: High (7.8 CVSS score)<br \/>\nAttack Vector: Local<br \/>\nPrivileges Required: Low<br \/>\nUser Interaction: Required<br \/>\nImpact: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ameeba.com\/blog\/cve-2025-32974-critical-vulnerability-in-xwiki-s-rights-analysis-leading-to-potential-system-compromise\/\"  data-wpil-monitor-id=\"42276\">Potential system<\/a> compromise or data leakage<\/p>\n<p><strong>Affected Products<\/strong><\/p><div id=\"ameeb-818744161\" class=\"ameeb-content-2 ameeb-entity-placement\"><div style=\"border-left: 4px solid #555; padding-left: 20px; margin: 48px 0; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; color: #ffffff; line-height: 1.6; max-width: 700px;\">\r\n  <h2 style=\"margin-top: 0; font-size: 20px; font-weight: 600; display: flex; align-items: center;\">\r\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ameeba.com\/chat\" style=\"display: inline-flex; align-items: center; margin-right: 8px;\">\r\n      <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ameeba.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Best-App-icon-Ameeba.png\" alt=\"Ameeba Chat Icon\" style=\"width: 40px; height: 40px;\" \/>\r\n    <\/a>\r\n    A new way to communicate\r\n  <\/h2>\r\n\r\n  <p style=\"margin-bottom: 12px;\">\r\n    Ameeba Chat is built on encrypted identity, not personal profiles.\r\n  <\/p>\r\n\r\n  <p style=\"margin-bottom: 16px;\">\r\n    Message, call, share files, and coordinate with identities kept separate.\r\n  <\/p>\r\n\r\n  <ul style=\"list-style: none; padding-left: 0; margin-bottom: 20px;\">\r\n    <li>\u2022 Encrypted identity<\/li>\r\n    <li>\u2022 Ameeba Chat authenticates access<\/li>\r\n    <li>\u2022 Aliases and categories<\/li>\r\n    <li>\u2022 End-to-end encrypted chat, calls, and files<\/li>\r\n    <li>\u2022 Secure notes for sensitive information<\/li>\r\n  <\/ul>\r\n\r\n  <p style=\"font-style: italic; font-weight: 600; margin-bottom: 24px;\">\r\n    Private communication, rethought.\r\n  <\/p>\r\n\r\n  <div style=\"display: flex; flex-wrap: wrap; gap: 12px;\">\r\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ameeba.com\/chat\/download\" style=\"background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; padding: 10px 20px; text-decoration: none; border-radius: 6px; font-weight: 500;\">Download Ameeba Chat<\/a>\r\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ameeba.com\/chat\" style=\"border: 1px solid #ffffff; color: #ffffff; padding: 10px 20px; text-decoration: none; border-radius: 6px; font-weight: 500;\">Learn More<\/a>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<p>Product | Affected Versions<\/p>\n<p>GTKWave | 3.3.115<\/p>\n<p><strong>How the Exploit Works<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The exploit takes advantage of an out-of-bounds write <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ameeba.com\/blog\/cve-2023-35961-os-command-injection-vulnerabilities-in-gtkwave-3-3-115\/\"  data-wpil-monitor-id=\"41841\">vulnerability in the LXT2 zlib block decompression functionality of GTKWave<\/a>. An attacker <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ameeba.com\/blog\/cve-2025-24189-memory-corruption-vulnerability-due-to-maliciously-crafted-web-content-in-various-operating-systems\/\"  data-wpil-monitor-id=\"59246\">crafts a malicious<\/a> .lxt2 file, which when opened by a victim, triggers the vulnerability. This <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ameeba.com\/blog\/cve-2025-2907-critical-vulnerability-in-order-delivery-date-wordpress-plugin-could-allow-full-site-takeover\/\"  data-wpil-monitor-id=\"41830\">vulnerability allows<\/a> the attacker to execute arbitrary code, potentially compromising the system or leading to data leakage.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Conceptual Example Code<\/strong><\/p><div id=\"ameeb-1487837901\" class=\"ameeb-content ameeb-entity-placement\"><div class=\"poptin-embedded\" data-id=\"f6b387694f681\"><\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/div>\n<p>The following is a conceptual representation of how the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ameeba.com\/blog\/cve-2025-47154-exploitation-of-use-after-free-vulnerability-in-libjs-in-ladybird\/\"  data-wpil-monitor-id=\"42358\">vulnerability might be exploited<\/a>. In this example, the attacker crafts a malicious <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ameeba.com\/blog\/cve-2023-35989-integer-overflow-vulnerability-in-gtkwave-s-lxt2-zlib-block-allocation\/\"  data-wpil-monitor-id=\"41928\">.lxt2 file that triggers the out-of-bounds write vulnerability<\/a> when opened.<\/p>\n<pre><code class=\"\" data-line=\"\"># Crafting a malicious .lxt2 file\necho &quot;malicious_payload&quot; &gt; exploit.lxt2\n# The victim opens the malicious .lxt2 file with GTKWave\ngtkwave exploit.lxt2<\/code><\/pre>\n<p>Please note that the above example is purely conceptual and does not contain actual <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ameeba.com\/blog\/cve-2025-8714-critical-postgresql-vulnerability-allowing-malicious-code-injection-by-superusers\/\"  data-wpil-monitor-id=\"80712\">malicious code<\/a>. It is only meant to illustrate how an attacker might use a malicious <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ameeba.com\/blog\/cve-2024-13418-critical-arbitrary-file-upload-vulnerability-in-multiple-wordpress-plugins-and-themes\/\"  data-wpil-monitor-id=\"42946\">file to exploit the vulnerability<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Mitigation Guidance<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The most effective mitigation against this vulnerability is to apply the vendor patch as soon as it becomes available. Until then, the use of a Web Application Firewall (WAF) or Intrusion Detection System (IDS) can provide temporary mitigation by detecting and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ameeba.com\/blog\/cve-2025-3605-privilege-escalation-vulnerability-in-frontend-login-and-registration-blocks-plugin-for-wordpress\/\"  data-wpil-monitor-id=\"46141\">blocking attempts to exploit the vulnerability<\/a>. Regularly updating and patching software is a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ameeba.com\/blog\/establishing-cybersecurity-culture-in-scientific-organizations-a-critical-necessity\/\"  data-wpil-monitor-id=\"46142\">critical aspect of maintaining robust cybersecurity<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Overview The recently discovered vulnerability, CVE-2023-38657, poses a significant threat to users of GTKWave version 3.3.115. The software, primarily used for viewing waveforms generated by digital circuits, has an out-of-bounds write vulnerability in the LXT2 zlib block decompression functionality. This vulnerability has the potential to compromise systems and lead to data leakage. The discovery of [&hellip;]<\/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,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"vendor":[],"product":[],"attack_vector":[86,80],"asset_type":[],"severity":[],"exploit_status":[],"class_list":["post-37120","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","attack_vector-buffer-overflow","attack_vector-rce"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ameeba.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37120","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ameeba.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ameeba.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ameeba.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ameeba.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=37120"}],"version-history":[{"count":13,"href":"https:\/\/www.ameeba.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37120\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":73134,"href":"https:\/\/www.ameeba.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37120\/revisions\/73134"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ameeba.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=37120"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ameeba.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=37120"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ameeba.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=37120"},{"taxonomy":"vendor","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ameeba.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/vendor?post=37120"},{"taxonomy":"product","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ameeba.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product?post=37120"},{"taxonomy":"attack_vector","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ameeba.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/attack_vector?post=37120"},{"taxonomy":"asset_type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ameeba.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/asset_type?post=37120"},{"taxonomy":"severity","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ameeba.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/severity?post=37120"},{"taxonomy":"exploit_status","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ameeba.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/exploit_status?post=37120"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}