Arbitrary command execution via unsanitized gzip 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 through a crafted compressed wave file. The vcd_main function in vcd2lxt2 appends an unsanitized .gz filename to the gzip -cd command 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 that user's privileges.
Summary
What happened
OS command injection in GTKWave 3.3.115 allows context-dependent attackers to execute arbitrary commands through a crafted compressed wave file. The vcd_main function in vcd2lxt2 appends an unsanitized .gz filename to the gzip -cd command 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 that user's privileges.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2023-35963
- 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
Compare your product and version with the public record. A matching version still requires validation against your environment.
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 vcd2lxt2 command-injection reproductionproof of concept · demonstrated
Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.
Technologies
Your stack
See the directory against your own environment.
Your stack
Check the software in your environment
Book a demo to see how Hinoki identifies affected software and validates exploitability in your environment.
Book a demo