CVE-2023-37574 in GTKWave
Summary
by MITRE • 01/08/2024
Multiple use-after-free vulnerabilities exist in the VCD get_vartoken realloc functionality of GTKWave 3.3.115. A specially crafted .vcd file can lead to arbitrary code execution. A victim would need to open a malicious file to trigger these vulnerabilities.This vulnerability concerns the use-after-free when triggered via the GUI's legacy VCD parsing code.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/08/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-37574 represents a critical security flaw within GTKWave version 3.3.115 that manifests through multiple use-after-free conditions in the VCD get_vartoken realloc functionality. This issue specifically affects the graphical waveform viewer application used extensively in electronic design automation for visualizing simulation data from vcd files. The vulnerability stems from improper memory management within the legacy VCD parsing code path that handles Variable Change Dump format files, which are standard in digital circuit simulation environments. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious .vcd files that trigger memory corruption when the application attempts to reallocate memory during variable token processing. The use-after-free condition occurs when the application frees memory associated with variable tokens but continues to reference that memory location during subsequent reallocations, creating a scenario where attackers can manipulate the freed memory to execute arbitrary code.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires the victim to open a specially crafted malicious .vcd file through the GTKWave graphical user interface, making this a client-side attack vector that relies on social engineering or automated delivery mechanisms. The flaw operates within the context of CWE-416, which specifically addresses use-after-free vulnerabilities, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers exploitation for client execution through file format vulnerabilities. The legacy VCD parsing code path in GTKWave's implementation demonstrates a classic memory safety issue where the realloc function call does not properly account for the possibility that previously allocated memory blocks may have been freed, creating a window where attacker-controlled data can overwrite freed memory structures. This vulnerability is particularly concerning in electronic design automation environments where engineers frequently open simulation files from various sources, making the attack surface potentially wide.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it can lead to complete system compromise when attackers leverage the arbitrary code execution capability to establish persistent access or escalate privileges. The vulnerability affects users who regularly work with VCD files in their design verification processes, potentially exposing entire design environments to unauthorized access. The risk is heightened because VCD files are commonly shared between design teams and can originate from untrusted sources, making automated exploitation feasible. Organizations using GTKWave for circuit simulation and verification workloads face significant exposure, particularly in environments where security boundaries are not strictly enforced. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal user interaction beyond opening the malicious file, making it particularly dangerous in collaborative design environments where multiple users may access shared simulation data. Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patching of GTKWave installations to version 3.3.116 or later, while also implementing file validation procedures and restricting user access to potentially malicious VCD files through network segmentation and access controls.