CVE-2023-37921Public exploit

Code execution via unchecked sorted-array search

Published Jan 8, 2024 · Updated Nov 4, 2025

Arbitrary code execution in GTKWave 3.3.115 allows context-dependent attackers to execute code through a crafted VCD file. In vcd2vzt, bsearch_vcd calls bsearch with a null sorted-array pointer after an indexed lookup misses, then uses an attacker-directed result for value writes. A victim must process the malicious file with the vcd2vzt conversion utility, enabling attacker-controlled memory writes and code execution.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability0.43%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Arbitrary code execution in GTKWave 3.3.115 allows context-dependent attackers to execute code through a crafted VCD file. In vcd2vzt, bsearch_vcd calls bsearch with a null sorted-array pointer after an indexed lookup misses, then uses an attacker-directed result for value writes. A victim must process the malicious file with the vcd2vzt conversion utility, enabling attacker-controlled memory writes and code execution.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-37921
Published
Jan 8, 2024
Updated
Nov 4, 2025
Vendor
GTKWave
Product
GTKWave
Classifications
CWE-118, T1203, T1204.002
Attack vector
local
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jan 8, 2024CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. 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.

  1. Affected versionversion=3.3.115

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

GTKWave · GTKWaveversion=3.3.115

Published CVSS scores

7.8Cisco TalosCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

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.

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No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-118Incorrect Access of Indexable Resource ('Range Error')
T1203Exploitation for Client Execution
T1204.002User Execution: Malicious File

Public exploit references

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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