Code execution via unchecked coordinate copy
Published Feb 16, 2022 · Updated Apr 15, 2025
Stack-based buffer overflow in KiCad Gerber Viewer 6.0.1 and earlier allows attackers to execute code via a crafted Gerber or Excellon file. ReadXYCoord copies an arbitrarily long numeric coordinate from the parser's large input buffer into a 256-byte stack array without checking the destination boundary. A user must open the malicious file; exploitation can crash GerbView or run code in that user's context, with reliable execution constrained by build-specific addresses and mitigations.
Summary
What happened
Stack-based buffer overflow in KiCad Gerber Viewer 6.0.1 and earlier allows attackers to execute code via a crafted Gerber or Excellon file. ReadXYCoord copies an arbitrarily long numeric coordinate from the parser's large input buffer into a 256-byte stack array without checking the destination boundary. A user must open the malicious file; exploitation can crash GerbView or run code in that user's context, with reliable execution constrained by build-specific addresses and mitigations.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2022-23803
- Published
- Feb 16, 2022
- Updated
- Apr 15, 2025
- Vendor
- KiCad Development Team
- Product
- KiCad
- Classifications
- CWE-121, T1203, T1204.002
- Attack vector
- local
- Privileges
- unauthenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Feb 16, 2022CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Apr 15, 2025Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.
Exploitability
Present is not the same as exploitable
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Is a vulnerable build present?
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- Affected versionversion=KiCad EDA 6.0.1, KiCad EDA master commit de006fc010
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.
Attacks
What attackers are doing with it
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Weakness, pattern, technique
Public exploit references
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Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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