Code execution via null sorted-table search
Published Jan 8, 2024 · Updated Nov 4, 2025
Arbitrary write in GTKWave 3.3.115 allows local users to execute code by having a victim process a crafted VCD file with vcd2lxt. In bsearch_vcd, an out-of-range identifier reaches bsearch while the sorted table is null, allowing attacker-controlled memory to be treated as a vcdsymbol whose fields drive an arbitrary zero write. Exploitation requires the victim to run the vcd2lxt converter on the malicious file; successful exploitation executes code in that process context.
Summary
What happened
Arbitrary write in GTKWave 3.3.115 allows local users to execute code by having a victim process a crafted VCD file with vcd2lxt. In bsearch_vcd, an out-of-range identifier reaches bsearch while the sorted table is null, allowing attacker-controlled memory to be treated as a vcdsymbol whose fields drive an arbitrary zero write. Exploitation requires the victim to run the vcd2lxt converter on the malicious file; successful exploitation executes code in that process context.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2023-37923
- Published
- Jan 8, 2024
- Updated
- Nov 4, 2025
- Vendor
- GTKWave
- Product
- GTKWave
- Classifications
- CWE-118, CAPEC-9, 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
- 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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