Code execution via off-by-one buffer check
Published Jan 8, 2024 · Updated Nov 4, 2025
Out-of-bounds write in GTKWave 3.3.115 allows attackers to execute arbitrary code by opening a crafted VCD file in interactive mode. In src/vcd_partial.c's parse_valuechange path, an off-by-one size test permits strcpy to copy a terminator one byte past the vector buffer. Exploitation requires GTKWave to run in interactive VCD mode and open the malicious file; successful heap manipulation executes code in the application's security context.
Summary
What happened
Out-of-bounds write in GTKWave 3.3.115 allows attackers to execute arbitrary code by opening a crafted VCD file in interactive mode. In src/vcd_partial.c's parse_valuechange path, an off-by-one size test permits strcpy to copy a terminator one byte past the vector buffer. Exploitation requires GTKWave to run in interactive VCD mode and open the malicious file; successful heap manipulation executes code in the application's security context.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2023-37417
- Published
- Jan 8, 2024
- Updated
- Nov 4, 2025
- Vendor
- GTKWave
- Product
- GTKWave
- Classifications
- CWE-787, T1204.002, T1203
- 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
- Talos VCD portdump trigger analysisproof of concept · demonstrated
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Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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