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CVE-2023-35996: CWE-129: Improper Validation of Array Index in GTKWave GTKWave

High
VulnerabilityCVE-2023-35996cvecve-2023-35996cwe-129
Published: Mon Jan 08 2024 (01/08/2024, 14:47:56 UTC)
Source: CVE Database V5
Vendor/Project: GTKWave
Product: GTKWave

Description

Multiple improper array index validation vulnerabilities exist in the fstReaderIterBlocks2 tdelta functionality of GTKWave 3.3.115. A specially crafted .fst file can lead to arbitrary code execution. A victim would need to open a malicious file to trigger these vulnerabilities.This vulnerability concerns the tdelta indexing when signal_lens is 0.

AI-Powered Analysis

AILast updated: 07/04/2025, 04:41:38 UTC

Technical Analysis

CVE-2023-35996 is a high-severity vulnerability identified in GTKWave version 3.3.115, specifically involving improper validation of array indices (CWE-129) within the fstReaderIterBlocks2 tdelta functionality. GTKWave is a widely used open-source waveform viewer primarily employed by hardware engineers and developers to visualize simulation data from digital designs. The vulnerability arises when processing specially crafted .fst files, which are waveform data files used by GTKWave. The issue is rooted in the tdelta indexing mechanism when the signal_lens parameter is zero, leading to improper bounds checking on array indices. This flaw can be exploited by an attacker who convinces a victim to open a maliciously crafted .fst file, triggering out-of-bounds memory access. Such memory corruption can lead to arbitrary code execution, allowing an attacker to execute code with the privileges of the user running GTKWave. The CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.8 reflects the vulnerability's high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, with low attack complexity but requiring user interaction (opening a malicious file) and local access (AV:L). No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no patches have been linked yet, indicating that users should be cautious and monitor for updates. The vulnerability affects only version 3.3.115 of GTKWave, and the root cause is a failure to properly validate array indices before accessing memory, a classic and dangerous programming error that can lead to serious security consequences.

Potential Impact

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2023-35996 can be significant, especially for entities involved in hardware design, embedded systems development, and semiconductor industries where GTKWave is commonly used. Successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution on engineers' workstations or build servers, potentially compromising sensitive intellectual property, design data, and internal development environments. This could result in theft of proprietary designs, insertion of malicious hardware logic, or disruption of development workflows. Additionally, if exploited within a networked environment, attackers might pivot to other systems, increasing the risk of broader compromise. The confidentiality breach could expose trade secrets, while integrity violations might corrupt design data, leading to faulty hardware products. Availability impacts could arise if systems crash or become unstable due to exploitation. Given the specialized nature of GTKWave, the threat is more targeted but still critical for affected organizations, particularly those in defense, automotive, aerospace, and telecommunications sectors prevalent in Europe.

Mitigation Recommendations

To mitigate this vulnerability, European organizations should take the following specific actions: 1) Immediately audit all instances of GTKWave 3.3.115 in use, especially in engineering and development environments. 2) Avoid opening untrusted or unsolicited .fst files until a patch or official fix is released. 3) Implement strict file handling policies that restrict the use of waveform files from unknown sources. 4) Employ endpoint protection solutions capable of detecting anomalous behavior indicative of exploitation attempts. 5) Use application sandboxing or containerization to limit the privileges of GTKWave processes, minimizing potential damage from exploitation. 6) Monitor vendor communications and security advisories for GTKWave to apply patches promptly once available. 7) Educate engineering teams about the risks of opening files from unverified sources and enforce secure operational procedures. 8) Consider network segmentation to isolate development environments from critical production systems, reducing lateral movement risk if exploitation occurs.

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Technical Details

Data Version
5.1
Assigner Short Name
talos
Date Reserved
2023-06-20T19:41:02.814Z
Cvss Version
3.1
State
PUBLISHED

Threat ID: 683f0dc2182aa0cae27ff370

Added to database: 6/3/2025, 2:59:14 PM

Last enriched: 7/4/2025, 4:41:38 AM

Last updated: 7/26/2025, 6:42:51 PM

Views: 10

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