CVE-2023-38621

Code execution via undersized flags array allocation

Published Jan 8, 2024 · Updated Nov 4, 2025

Integer overflow in GTKWave 3.3.115 allows attackers to execute arbitrary code when a victim opens a crafted VZT file. In 32-bit mode, vzt_rd_init_smp multiplies the attacker-controlled numfacs value by four without overflow checks, allocates an undersized flags array, and then writes beyond its heap boundary. Execution requires a victim to open the file in the GUI or process it with a VZT conversion utility, after which pointer corruption enables writes to arbitrary memory.

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

Integer overflow in GTKWave 3.3.115 allows attackers to execute arbitrary code when a victim opens a crafted VZT file. In 32-bit mode, vzt_rd_init_smp multiplies the attacker-controlled numfacs value by four without overflow checks, allocates an undersized flags array, and then writes beyond its heap boundary. Execution requires a victim to open the file in the GUI or process it with a VZT conversion utility, after which pointer corruption enables writes to arbitrary memory.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-38621
Published
Jan 8, 2024
Updated
Nov 4, 2025
Vendor
GTKWave
Product
GTKWave
Classifications
CWE-190, T1204.002, T1203
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 exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-190Integer Overflow or Wraparound
T1204.002Malicious File
T1203Exploitation for Client Execution

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

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Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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