CVE-2023-48706
Vim has heap-use-after-free at /src/charset.c:1770:12 in skipwhite
Public exploit available. Not confirmed exploited in the wild yet. A vendor fix is available.
What to do
The vendor has published a fix. Version details are below where the sources state them.
What it is
From the CVE record
Vim is a UNIX editor that, prior to version 9.0.2121, has a heap-use-after-free vulnerability. When executing a `:s` command for the very first time and using a sub-replace-special atom inside the substitution part, it is possible that the recursive `:s` call causes free-ing of memory which may later then be accessed by the initial `:s` command. The user must intentionally execute the payload and the whole process is a bit tricky to do since it seems to work only reliably for the very first :s command. It may also cause a crash of Vim. Version 9.0.2121 contains a fix for this issue.
In plain language
No plain-language summary for this CVE yet.
Exploitation
Where each signal puts this CVE on the scale from published to confirmed exploited.
- CISA KEV
Not in the catalog. CISA has not confirmed exploitation.
- Public exploits
2 sources with a proof of concept or module.
Exploit links, PoCs and Metasploit modules after sign-in- EPSS
0.5% chance of exploitation activity in the next 30 days, which ranks it in the 43rd percentile of scored CVEs.
Exploit Prediction Scoring System, FIRST.org. A probability, not a confirmation.
Lifecycle
A public exploit existed 109 days before the patch.
- Patch availablerecord updated
- OpenVAS check added
- Patch availablerecord updated
- Public exploit / PoCsource: github-poc
- Publishedweakness classified, att&ck mapped
Affected products
And 3 more affected products. See all after sign-in
Technical detail
CVSS 3.1 vector
Open in the CVSS calculatorCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:L
Scored 3.6 by NVD.
How it is reached
- Attack Vector LocalRequires local access to the vulnerable system (e.g. local login, malicious file)
- Attack Complexity HighRequires specific conditions like a race condition or non-default configuration
- Privileges Required NoneNo authentication required — anyone can exploit this
- User Interaction RequiredA user must click a link, open a file, or perform some action
Scope
- Scope UnchangedImpact is limited to the vulnerable component itself
Impact if exploited
- Confidentiality NoneNo confidentiality impact
- Integrity LowData modification is possible but limited in scope or consequence
- Availability LowReduced performance or intermittent disruption of service
Weaknesses
ATT&CK techniques
Mapped from the weaknesses above (CWE to ATT&CK), not observed in attacks.
- Initial AccessT1190Exploit Public-Facing Applicationhigh confidence
- Privilege EscalationT1068Exploitation for Privilege Escalationhigh confidence
Sources
References in the record
- openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2023/11/22/3
- github.com/gandalf4a/crash_report/blob/main/vim/vim_huaf
- github.com/vim/vim/commit/26c11c56888d01e298cd8044caf860f3c26f57bb
And 12 more references. See all after sign-in
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