CVE-2023-39271 in GTKWave
Summary
by MITRE • 01/08/2024
Multiple integer overflow vulnerabilities exist in the LXT2 facgeometry parsing functionality of GTKWave 3.3.115. A specially crafted .lxt2 file can lead to arbitrary code execution. A victim would need to open a malicious file to trigger these vulnerabilities.This vulnerability concerns the integer overflow when allocating the `msb` array.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/08/2024
The CVE-2023-39271 vulnerability represents a critical integer overflow flaw within GTKWave's LXT2 facgeometry parsing component, specifically affecting version 3.3.115. This vulnerability resides in the handling of .lxt2 files which are used for waveform data storage in digital simulation environments. The flaw manifests when the application processes malformed facgeometry data structures, creating a scenario where an attacker can craft malicious files that exploit memory allocation behaviors. The vulnerability specifically targets the allocation of the `msb` array, which serves as a critical data structure for managing waveform metadata during file parsing operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and improper integer handling during the memory allocation phase. When GTKWave encounters a crafted .lxt2 file containing malicious facgeometry data, the application fails to properly validate array size parameters before allocating memory for the `msb` array. This oversight allows an attacker to manipulate the size calculation logic through carefully constructed input data, resulting in integer overflow conditions that can lead to heap-based buffer overflows. The underlying mechanism aligns with CWE-190, which describes integer overflow conditions that can result in memory corruption and arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of memory safety and input validation failures, creating a path for attackers to manipulate the application's memory management routines.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as it enables full arbitrary code execution capabilities. An attacker who successfully crafts a malicious .lxt2 file can potentially execute code with the privileges of the user running GTKWave, which could lead to complete system compromise. The attack vector requires social engineering to convince victims to open the malicious file, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where users may encounter untrusted waveform data. The vulnerability's exploitation potential aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which covers command and script injection, as the successful exploitation could enable attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the victim's system. This makes the vulnerability particularly concerning for engineers and analysts who regularly work with waveform data from potentially untrusted sources.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-39271 must address both immediate remediation and long-term security hardening. The most effective immediate solution involves upgrading to GTKWave versions that contain patches for this vulnerability, as the original developers have released updated versions with proper integer overflow protections. Additionally, implementing strict input validation and bounds checking for all facgeometry data parsing operations can prevent similar issues in other components. Security-conscious organizations should also deploy file scanning mechanisms that can identify potentially malicious .lxt2 files before they are opened, particularly in environments where waveform data originates from external sources. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of robust memory safety practices and proper integer handling in security-critical applications, emphasizing the need for comprehensive code reviews and automated testing for integer overflow conditions. Organizations should also consider implementing application sandboxing or restricted execution environments for waveform analysis tools to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts.