Code execution via undersized decompression buffer
Published Jan 8, 2024 · Updated Nov 4, 2025
Out-of-bounds write in GTKWave 3.3.115 allows attackers to execute arbitrary code by inducing a user to open a crafted LXT2 file. In lxt2_rd_iter_blocks, the parser allocates pnt from the file-controlled b->uncompressed_siz value but gives zlib the unchecked unclen value as output capacity, so decompression writes past the heap allocation. Exploitation requires user interaction with a malicious waveform file and can compromise the process rather than a network service.
Summary
What happened
Out-of-bounds write in GTKWave 3.3.115 allows attackers to execute arbitrary code by inducing a user to open a crafted LXT2 file. In lxt2_rd_iter_blocks, the parser allocates pnt from the file-controlled b->uncompressed_siz value but gives zlib the unchecked unclen value as output capacity, so decompression writes past the heap allocation. Exploitation requires user interaction with a malicious waveform file and can compromise the process rather than a network service.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2023-38657
- Published
- Jan 8, 2024
- Updated
- Nov 4, 2025
- Vendor
- GTKWave
- Product
- GTKWave
- Classifications
- CWE-119, 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
Compare your product and version with the public record. A matching version still requires validation against your environment.
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
No public exploit references are available in this record.
Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.
Technologies
Your stack
See the directory against your own environment.
Your stack
Check the software in your environment
Book a demo to see how Hinoki identifies affected software and validates exploitability in your environment.
Book a demo