CVE-2023-38619

Vulnerability

The integer overflow vulnerability exists in the VZT facgeometry parsing functionality of GTKWave 3.3.115. Specifically, when allocating the msb array during processing of a specially crafted .vzt file, an integer overflow can occur, leading to a heap-based buffer overflow. This vulnerability is located in the vzt_rd_init_smp function within vzt_read.c and affects all components that parse VZT files, including the GUI and conversion utilities (vzt2vcd, vztminer) [1].

Exploitation

An attacker can exploit this vulnerability by crafting a malicious .vzt file that triggers the integer overflow when parsed. The attacker must convince a victim to open the file, for example by sending it as an email attachment and relying on the victim to double-click it (GTKWave registers MIME types for .vzt files). No special privileges or network access beyond local file opening are required. The exploitation complexity is low due to the straightforward trigger condition [1].

Impact

Successful exploitation results in arbitrary code execution in the context of the victim user. The attacker gains the ability to execute arbitrary commands or manipulate the system, with full compromise of confidentiality, integrity, and availability (CIA triad). This can lead to data exfiltration, malware installation, or further system compromise [1].

Mitigation

As of the publication date (2024-01-08), no official patch has been released for GTKWave 3.3.115. Users are advised to avoid opening untrusted .vzt files until a fixed version is provided. Monitor the GTKWave website or the vendor for updates. The vulnerability is not listed in CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog at the time of writing [1].