Memory corruption via undersized change_dict allocation
Published Jan 8, 2024 · Updated Nov 4, 2025
Integer overflow in GTKWave 3.3.115 allows attackers to corrupt process memory when a victim opens a crafted VZT file. The vzt_rd_block_vch_decode function multiplies attacker-controlled num_sections and num_dict_entries without checking for overflow, allocates an undersized change_dict buffer, and then writes past its heap boundary. Exploitation requires user interaction; the overwrite causes a crash or, under favorable heap and threading conditions, arbitrary code execution.
Summary
What happened
Integer overflow in GTKWave 3.3.115 allows attackers to corrupt process memory when a victim opens a crafted VZT file. The vzt_rd_block_vch_decode function multiplies attacker-controlled num_sections and num_dict_entries without checking for overflow, allocates an undersized change_dict buffer, and then writes past its heap boundary. Exploitation requires user interaction; the overwrite causes a crash or, under favorable heap and threading conditions, arbitrary code execution.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2023-38653
- Published
- Jan 8, 2024
- Updated
- Nov 4, 2025
- Vendor
- GTKWave
- Product
- GTKWave
- Classifications
- CWE-190, 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?
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- Affected versionversion=3.3.115
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
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Attacks
What attackers are doing with it
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Weakness, pattern, technique
Public exploit references
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Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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