Code execution via stale token-buffer pointer
Published Jan 8, 2024 · Updated Nov 4, 2025
Use-after-free in GTKWave 3.3.115 allows attackers to execute arbitrary code when a crafted VCD file is processed by vcd2lxt. The get_vartoken function retains varsplit as a pointer into yytext across realloc, then writes through that stale pointer and derives an attacker-controlled length that can under-size a later strcpy destination. Exploitation requires a user to run the vcd2lxt conversion utility on the malicious file, enabling code execution in that user’s context.
Summary
What happened
Use-after-free in GTKWave 3.3.115 allows attackers to execute arbitrary code when a crafted VCD file is processed by vcd2lxt. The get_vartoken function retains varsplit as a pointer into yytext across realloc, then writes through that stale pointer and derives an attacker-controlled length that can under-size a later strcpy destination. Exploitation requires a user to run the vcd2lxt conversion utility on the malicious file, enabling code execution in that user’s context.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2023-37578
- Published
- Jan 8, 2024
- Updated
- Nov 4, 2025
- Vendor
- GTKWave
- Product
- GTKWave
- Classifications
- CWE-416, 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.
Public exploit references
- Cisco Talos vcd2lxt crash demonstrationproof of concept · demonstrated
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Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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