CVE-2023-37575 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 interactive VCD parsing code.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/08/2024
The vulnerability CVE-2023-37575 represents a critical use-after-free flaw within GTKWave version 3.3.115 that specifically affects the VCD get_vartoken realloc functionality. This issue resides in the graphical user interface's interactive VCD (Value Change Dump) file parsing code, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through normal application usage patterns. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-416 as a use-after-free condition, where memory that has been freed is subsequently accessed, creating opportunities for memory corruption and potential code execution. Attackers can craft malicious .vcd files that, when opened by a victim using GTKWave, trigger the vulnerable code path during interactive parsing operations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when GTKWave processes specially crafted VCD files through its GUI interface, specifically within the get_vartoken function that handles variable token reallocation. When the application encounters malformed VCD data structures, the realloc operation fails to properly manage memory references, leading to a scenario where freed memory locations are accessed after subsequent reallocation. This memory management error creates a condition where attackers can manipulate the application's memory layout to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the victim user. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires no special privileges beyond normal application usage and can be triggered through simple file opening operations.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-37575 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios as it enables full arbitrary code execution capabilities. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1203 (Exploitation for Client Execution) and T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) within the MITRE ATT&CK framework, as attackers can leverage the memory corruption to inject and execute malicious payloads. The vulnerability affects users who regularly work with VCD files in digital design and verification environments, making it particularly dangerous in professional electronic design automation (EDA) workflows. Systems running GTKWave 3.3.115 are at risk, especially when users open untrusted VCD files from unknown sources, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate patching of GTKWave to versions that address the memory management issues in the get_vartoken function. Users should implement strict file validation policies, avoiding opening VCD files from untrusted sources, and consider implementing sandboxing measures for applications that process waveform data. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper memory management in GUI applications and highlights the need for thorough input validation and bounds checking in parsing functions. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and file access controls to limit exposure, while security teams should monitor for potential exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability. Additionally, regular security updates and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to prevent similar issues in other components of the EDA toolchain that may present similar memory management risks.