Vim 3.0 through 7.x before 7.2.010 does not properly escape characters, which allows user-assisted attackers to (1) execute arbitrary shell
Vim 3.0 through 7.x before 7.2.010 does not properly escape characters, which allows user-assisted attackers to (1) execute arbitrary shell commands by entering a K keystroke on a line that contains a ";" (semicolon) followed by a command, or execute arbitrary Ex commands by entering an argument after a (2) "Ctrl-]" (control close-square-bracket) or (3) "g]" (g close-square-bracket) keystroke sequence, a different issue than CVE-2008-2712.
- Published
- Sep 18, 2008
- Updated
- Jun 16, 2026
- EPSS
- 9.2% · 95th percentile
- CWE
- CWE-20
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Report tools
Action score
40
Plan
Add it to your regular patch cycle.
- CVSS
- 37 / 40 · 9.3 / 10
- CISA KEV
- 0 / 30 · Not listed
- EPSS
- 3 / 30 · 9.2%
Affected systems
| Vendor | Product | CPE |
|---|---|---|
| vim | vim | cpe:2.3:a:vim:vim |
Affected versions
NVD version ranges (for catalog products). Add the product to your stack with a version and matching uses these.
- vim vimup to 7.2 inclusive
- vim vim3.0
- vim vim4.0
- vim vim5.0
- vim vim5.1
- vim vim5.2
- vim vim5.3
- vim vim5.4
- vim vim5.5
- vim vim5.6
- vim vim5.7
- vim vim5.8
- vim vim6.0
- vim vim6.1
- vim vim6.2
- vim vim6.3
- vim vim6.4
- vim vim7.0
- vim vim7.1
Package-level exposure
OSV and GitHub Advisory data: ecosystem, package and range. SBOM matching uses this table.
| Ecosystem | Package | Affected range | Fix |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debian:12 | vim | before 2:7.2.010-1 | 2:7.2.010-1 |
| Debian:4.0 | vim | before 1:7.0-122+1etch5 | 1:7.0-122+1etch5 |
| Red Hat:enterprise_linux:2.1::as | vim | before 1:6.0-7.25 | 1:6.0-7.25 |
| Red Hat:enterprise_linux:2.1::as | vim-common | before 1:6.0-7.25 | 1:6.0-7.25 |
| Red Hat:enterprise_linux:2.1::as | vim-enhanced | before 1:6.0-7.25 | 1:6.0-7.25 |
| Red Hat:enterprise_linux:2.1::as | vim-minimal | before 1:6.0-7.25 | 1:6.0-7.25 |
| Red Hat:enterprise_linux:2.1::as | vim-X11 | before 1:6.0-7.25 | 1:6.0-7.25 |
| Red Hat:enterprise_linux:3::as | vim | before 1:6.3.046-0.30E.11 | 1:6.3.046-0.30E.11 |
| Red Hat:enterprise_linux:3::as | vim-common | before 1:6.3.046-0.30E.11 | 1:6.3.046-0.30E.11 |
| Red Hat:enterprise_linux:3::as | vim-debuginfo | before 1:6.3.046-0.30E.11 | 1:6.3.046-0.30E.11 |
| Red Hat:enterprise_linux:3::as | vim-enhanced | before 1:6.3.046-0.30E.11 | 1:6.3.046-0.30E.11 |
| Red Hat:enterprise_linux:3::as | vim-minimal | before 1:6.3.046-0.30E.11 | 1:6.3.046-0.30E.11 |
| Red Hat:enterprise_linux:3::as | vim-X11 | before 1:6.3.046-0.30E.11 | 1:6.3.046-0.30E.11 |
| Red Hat:enterprise_linux:4::as | vim | before 1:6.3.046-1.el4_7.5z | 1:6.3.046-1.el4_7.5z |
| Red Hat:enterprise_linux:4::as | vim-common | before 1:6.3.046-1.el4_7.5z | 1:6.3.046-1.el4_7.5z |
| Red Hat:enterprise_linux:4::as | vim-debuginfo | before 1:6.3.046-1.el4_7.5z | 1:6.3.046-1.el4_7.5z |
| Red Hat:enterprise_linux:4::as | vim-enhanced | before 1:6.3.046-1.el4_7.5z | 1:6.3.046-1.el4_7.5z |
| Red Hat:enterprise_linux:4::as | vim-minimal | before 1:6.3.046-1.el4_7.5z | 1:6.3.046-1.el4_7.5z |
| Red Hat:enterprise_linux:4::as | vim-X11 | before 1:6.3.046-1.el4_7.5z | 1:6.3.046-1.el4_7.5z |
| Red Hat:enterprise_linux:5::client | vim | before 2:7.0.109-4.el5_2.4z | 2:7.0.109-4.el5_2.4z |
| Red Hat:enterprise_linux:5::client | vim-common | before 2:7.0.109-4.el5_2.4z | 2:7.0.109-4.el5_2.4z |
| Red Hat:enterprise_linux:5::client | vim-debuginfo | before 2:7.0.109-4.el5_2.4z | 2:7.0.109-4.el5_2.4z |
| Red Hat:enterprise_linux:5::client | vim-enhanced | before 2:7.0.109-4.el5_2.4z | 2:7.0.109-4.el5_2.4z |
| Red Hat:enterprise_linux:5::client | vim-minimal | before 2:7.0.109-4.el5_2.4z | 2:7.0.109-4.el5_2.4z |
+1
Same product
vim: all recordsOther highest-scoring records for the same primary product.
- CVE-2008-2712Vim 7.1.314, 6.4, and other versions allows user-assisted remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via Vim scripts that do not properl42Plan
- CVE-2022-0318Heap-based Buffer Overflow in vim/vim40Plan
- CVE-2019-12735getchar.c in Vim before 8.1.1365 and Neovim before 0.3.6 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary OS commands via the :source! command i40Plan
- CVE-2017-6350An integer overflow at an unserialize_uep memory allocation site would occur for vim before patch 8.0.0378, if it does not properly validate40Plan
- CVE-2017-6349An integer overflow at a u_read_undo memory allocation site would occur for vim before patch 8.0.0377, if it does not properly validate valu40Plan
- CVE-2017-5953vim before patch 8.0.0322 does not properly validate values for tree length when handling a spell file, which may result in an integer overf40Plan
Remediation
Which version to upgrade to
Fix versions compiled from the vendor, package registries and Microsoft. Verify the vendor's note before upgrading.
| Product / package | Fixed version | Source |
|---|---|---|
| debian:vim | 2:7.2.010-1 · Debian:12 | Package registry (OSV) |
| red hat:vim | 2:7.0.109-4.el5_2.4z · Red Hat:enterprise_linux:5::client | Package registry (OSV) |
| red hat:vim-common | 2:7.0.109-4.el5_2.4z · Red Hat:enterprise_linux:5::client | Package registry (OSV) |
| red hat:vim-debuginfo | 2:7.0.109-4.el5_2.4z · Red Hat:enterprise_linux:5::client | Package registry (OSV) |
| red hat:vim-enhanced | 2:7.0.109-4.el5_2.4z · Red Hat:enterprise_linux:5::client | Package registry (OSV) |
| red hat:vim-minimal | 2:7.0.109-4.el5_2.4z · Red Hat:enterprise_linux:5::client | Package registry (OSV) |
| red hat:vim-X11 | 2:7.0.109-4.el5_2.4z · Red Hat:enterprise_linux:5::client | Package registry (OSV) |
Exploit status
Proof of concept available
A public proof of concept or detection signature exists. Exploit knowledge is out there; don't delay patching.
Evidence
- Exploit-DB entry ×1
Noroxi does not host or link to exploit code. Metasploit module names and Nuclei template ids are shown (names, not code); Exploit-DB entries and PoC repositories are given as counts only.
| Source | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Exploit-DB entry | remote | 2008-08-19 |
Research context
For pentesters and researchers: attack profile, score disagreement, timeline, patch commits, credits, variant and chain candidates, bug bounty scope. All derived from existing data; no exploit code.
Timeline
From publication to today: proof of concept, Metasploit module, CISA KEV and fix record. Dates are as reported by the sources.
- First PoC-31 d
- Published
- TodaySep 30, 2026+6586 d
FIRST EPSS daily score; only changes of 0.01 or more are recorded (step chart).
Patch and commit links
Commit, PR and diff links among the references. A starting point for patch-diffing and variant hunting; fixes, not exploits.
No commit or PR link among the references.
Credits
All researchersFinders, reporters and analysts named in the CNA record. Click a name for that researcher’s other records.
No credits in the CNA record.
Variant candidates
Same product, same weakness class, within 18 months. If the patch missed the root cause, the sibling bug is here.
No nightly-computed relations.
Chain candidates
An authentication bypass and a privilege-requiring bug in the same product, published close together: combined they may become an unauthenticated path.
—
Bug bounty scope
No known public program.
Source: bounty-targets-data (public HackerOne, Bugcrowd, Intigriti, YesWeHack listings).
Technical details
Attack conditions
If successful
- Confidentiality
- C · data can be read
- Integrity
- C · data or configuration can be modified
- Availability
- C · the service can be disrupted
- Attack complexity
- M
- Confidentiality impact
- C
- Integrity impact
- C
- Availability impact
- C
Weakness class (CWE)
CWE-20 · Improper Input ValidationCVSS vector
AV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C
nvd-primary
Attack context
MITRE CAPEC attack patterns and ATT&CK techniques for this weakness class (CWE). A starting point for detection rules and threat hunting.
Attack patterns (CAPEC)
- Buffer Overflow via Environment VariablesCAPEC-10likelihood: High · High
- Server Side Include (SSI) InjectionCAPEC-101likelihood: High · High
- Cross Zone ScriptingCAPEC-104likelihood: Medium · High
- Command Line Execution through SQL InjectionCAPEC-108likelihood: Low · Very High
- Object Relational Mapping InjectionCAPEC-109likelihood: Low · High
- SQL Injection through SOAP Parameter TamperingCAPEC-110likelihood: High · Very High
- Double EncodingCAPEC-120likelihood: Low · Medium
- Subverting Environment Variable ValuesCAPEC-13likelihood: High · Very High
ATT&CK techniques
- Obfuscated Files or InformationT1027
- Masquerading: Invalid Code SignatureT1036.001
- Steal Web Session CookieT1539
- Subvert Trust Controls: Code SigningT1553.002
- Impair Defenses:Impair Command History LoggingT1562.003
- Hijack Execution Flow:Dynamic Linker HijackingT1574.006
- Hijack Execution Flow:Path Interception by PATH Environment VariableT1574.007
Noroxi analysis
No Noroxi analysis for this record yet
We don't hand-write analysis for all 385,000+ vulnerabilities; that wouldn't be honest. For notable, high-impact vulnerabilities our team writes the mechanism, detection and remediation steps.
We use this product, ask for helpChange log
- Fix✗ → ✓
For records you follow, these changes also arrive as notifications. →
References
- groups.google.com/group/vim_dev/attach/9290f26f9bc11b33/K-arbitrary-command-execution.patch.v3?part=2
- groups.google.com/group/vim_dev/attach/dd32ad3a84f36bb2/K-arbitrary-command-execution.patch?part=2
- groups.google.com/group/vim_dev/msg/9290f26f9bc11b33
- lists.apple.com/archives/security-announce/2008/Oct/msg00001.html
- lists.apple.com/archives/security-announce/2010//Mar/msg00001.html
- secunia.com/advisories/31592
- secunia.com/advisories/32222
- secunia.com/advisories/32858
- secunia.com/advisories/32864
- secunia.com/advisories/33410
- support.apple.com/kb/HT3216
- support.apple.com/kb/HT4077
- support.avaya.com/elmodocs2/security/ASA-2008-457.htm
- support.avaya.com/elmodocs2/security/ASA-2009-001.htm
- www.mandriva.com/security/advisories?name=MDVSA-2008:236
- www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2008/09/11/3
- www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2008/09/11/4
- www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2008/09/16/5
- www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2008/09/16/6
- www.rdancer.org/vulnerablevim-K.html
Vendor advisories and official records. Exploit/PoC links are deliberately left out.