Arbitrary command execution via unsanitized decompression filename
Published Jan 8, 2024 · Updated Nov 4, 2025
OS command injection in GTKWave 3.3.115 allows context-dependent attackers to execute arbitrary commands via a crafted compressed VCD file. The vcd_main function in vcd2vzt appends an unsanitized .gz input filename to gzip -cd and passes the resulting string to popen for shell execution. Exploitation requires a victim to open the attacker-supplied file, after which commands run with the victim's privileges.
Summary
What happened
OS command injection in GTKWave 3.3.115 allows context-dependent attackers to execute arbitrary commands via a crafted compressed VCD file. The vcd_main function in vcd2vzt appends an unsanitized .gz input filename to gzip -cd and passes the resulting string to popen for shell execution. Exploitation requires a victim to open the attacker-supplied file, after which commands run with the victim's privileges.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2023-35962
- Published
- Jan 8, 2024
- Updated
- Nov 4, 2025
- Vendor
- GTKWave
- Product
- GTKWave
- Classifications
- CWE-78, 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?
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- Affected versionversion=3.3.115
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
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Attacks
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Weakness, pattern, technique
Public exploit references
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Technologies
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Your stack
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