CVE-2023-38623 : Security Advisory and Response

A detailed overview of CVE-2023-38623 focusing on the impact, technical details, and mitigation strategies.

Understanding CVE-2023-38623

In-depth analysis of the vulnerabilities in GTKWave 3.3.115 that can lead to arbitrary code execution through specially crafted files.

What is CVE-2023-38623?

Multiple integer overflow vulnerabilities exist in the VZT facgeometry parsing functionality of GTKWave 3.3.115, allowing an attacker to execute arbitrary code by exploiting specially crafted .vzt files. The vulnerability stems from an integer overflow when allocating the

vindex_offset

array.

The Impact of CVE-2023-38623

The impact of CVE-2023-38623 is rated as high, with the potential for local attackers to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges, leading to confidentiality, integrity, and availability risks for affected systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-38623

An exploration of the vulnerability description, affected systems, versions, and the exploitation mechanism behind CVE-2023-38623 in GTKWave 3.3.115.

Vulnerability Description

The integer overflow vulnerabilities in GTKWave 3.3.115 can be triggered by a specially crafted .vzt file, allowing an attacker to achieve arbitrary code execution on the victim's system.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability affects GTKWave version 3.3.115, making systems running this version susceptible to exploitation through malicious files.

Exploitation Mechanism

The exploitation of CVE-2023-38623 involves manipulating the VZT facgeometry parsing functionality in GTKWave 3.3.115 using specially crafted .vzt files to trigger integer overflow vulnerabilities and execute arbitrary code.

Mitigation and Prevention

Guidance on addressing CVE-2023-38623 to enhance security posture and prevent potential exploitation.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update GTKWave to a non-vulnerable version or apply patches provided by the vendor.
Avoid opening untrusted .vzt files to mitigate the risk of arbitrary code execution.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement security best practices such as the principle of least privilege to limit the impact of successful attacks.
Conduct regular security assessments and audits to identify and remediate vulnerabilities in software components.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about updates and security advisories from GTKWave to apply patches promptly and protect systems from known vulnerabilities.