Arbitrary code execution via post-header variable definitions
Published Jan 8, 2024 · Updated Nov 4, 2025
Out-of-bounds memory access in GTKWave 3.3.115 allows attackers to execute arbitrary code through a crafted VCD file processed by vcd2lxt2. The converter accepts variable definitions after the end-of-definitions marker, changes hash bounds after allocating the symbol index, and later uses the altered bounds for an out-of-range lookup and attacker-controlled write. Exploitation requires a local user to invoke the conversion utility on the malicious file and grants code execution in that user's context.
Summary
What happened
Out-of-bounds memory access in GTKWave 3.3.115 allows attackers to execute arbitrary code through a crafted VCD file processed by vcd2lxt2. The converter accepts variable definitions after the end-of-definitions marker, changes hash bounds after allocating the symbol index, and later uses the altered bounds for an out-of-range lookup and attacker-controlled write. Exploitation requires a local user to invoke the conversion utility on the malicious file and grants code execution in that user's context.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2023-37446
- Published
- Jan 8, 2024
- Updated
- Nov 4, 2025
- Vendor
- GTKWave
- Product
- GTKWave
- Classifications
- CWE-119, 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 crafted VCD proof of conceptproof of concept · demonstrated
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Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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