Command execution via unsanitized compressed GHW filename
Published Jan 8, 2024 · Updated Nov 4, 2025
OS command injection in GTKWave 3.3.115 allows context-dependent attackers to execute commands through a crafted compressed GHW filename. The ghw_openz function appends the untrusted filename to a gzip or bzip2 command and passes the resulting string to popen without sanitization. A victim must open the malicious file; successful exploitation runs shell commands with the victim's privileges.
Summary
What happened
OS command injection in GTKWave 3.3.115 allows context-dependent attackers to execute commands through a crafted compressed GHW filename. The ghw_openz function appends the untrusted filename to a gzip or bzip2 command and passes the resulting string to popen without sanitization. A victim must open the malicious file; successful exploitation runs shell commands with the victim's privileges.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2023-35959
- Published
- Jan 8, 2024
- Updated
- Nov 4, 2025
- Vendor
- GTKWave
- Product
- GTKWave
- Classifications
- CWE-78, T1059, T1204.002
- Attack vector
- local
- Privileges
- unauthenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Jan 8, 2024CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Nov 4, 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?
Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.
- Affected versionversion=3.3.115
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
Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.
Weakness, pattern, technique
Public exploit references
- Cisco Talos GTKWave GHW command-injection demonstrationproof of concept · demonstrated
Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.
Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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