CVE-2023-35961

Code execution via unsanitized compressed-file name

Published Jan 8, 2024 · Updated Nov 4, 2025

OS command injection in GTKWave 3.3.115 allows attackers to execute arbitrary commands through a crafted compressed waveform file. In vcd_recorder_main, GTKWave appends the unsanitized input filename to WAVE_DECOMPRESSOR and passes the resulting string to popen, causing shell interpretation. Exploitation requires a user to open a malicious .gz or .zip waveform, and commands run with that user's privileges.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability1.49%
Next 30 days · Sep 17, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

OS command injection in GTKWave 3.3.115 allows attackers to execute arbitrary commands through a crafted compressed waveform file. In vcd_recorder_main, GTKWave appends the unsanitized input filename to WAVE_DECOMPRESSOR and passes the resulting string to popen, causing shell interpretation. Exploitation requires a user to open a malicious .gz or .zip waveform, and commands run with that user's privileges.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-35961
Published
Jan 8, 2024
Updated
Nov 4, 2025
Vendor
GTKWave
Product
GTKWave
Classifications
CWE-78, T1204.002, T1059
Attack vector
local
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jan 8, 2024CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. 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.

  1. Affected versionversion=3.3.115

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

GTKWave · GTKWaveversion=3.3.115

Published CVSS scores

7.8NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
7.8Cisco TalosCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

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.

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No observations available

Sep 11, 2026Sep 17, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 17, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-78Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection')
T1204.002User Execution: Malicious File
T1059Command and Scripting Interpreter

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

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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