CVE-2023-41036 – This vulnerability in MacVim allows privilege e... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2023-41036?

CVE-2023-41036 has a CVSS score of 7.8 (HIGH). This vulnerability in MacVim allows privilege escalation to root via insecure interprocess communication (IPC) using Apple's Distributed Objects. Any MacOS user running MacVim versions before 178 who edits files requiring root privileges is potentially affected.

📋 TL;DR

This vulnerability in MacVim allows privilege escalation to root via insecure interprocess communication (IPC) using Apple's Distributed Objects. Any MacOS user running MacVim versions before 178 who edits files requiring root privileges is potentially affected.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

MacVim

Versions: All versions prior to 178

Operating Systems: macOS

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: Vulnerability exists in default configuration when using Distributed Objects IPC mechanism.

📦 What is this software?

Macvim by Macvim

View all CVEs affecting Macvim →

⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

🔴

Worst Case

Full root privilege escalation allowing complete system compromise, file modification, and persistence establishment.

🟠

Likely Case

Local privilege escalation when editing system files or configuration files requiring elevated permissions.

🟢

If Mitigated

No impact if MacVim is not used to edit privileged files or if proper access controls prevent malicious process execution.

🌐 Internet-Facing: LOW - This is a local privilege escalation vulnerability requiring local access.

🏢 Internal Only: MEDIUM - Internal users with local access could exploit this to gain root privileges on affected systems.

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: UNKNOWN

Unauthenticated Exploit: ✅ No

Complexity: MEDIUM

Requires local access and ability to run malicious code that interacts with MacVim's IPC interface.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: 178

Vendor Advisory: https://github.com/macvim-dev/macvim/security/advisories/GHSA-9jgj-jfwg-99fv

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

1. Download MacVim version 178 or later from official sources. 2. Install the updated version. 3. Restart MacVim and any related processes.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Disable MacVim IPC

all

Prevent MacVim from using the vulnerable Distributed Objects IPC mechanism

Not applicable - configuration-based workaround

Restrict MacVim Usage

all

Avoid using MacVim to edit files that require root or elevated privileges

Not applicable - procedural workaround

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Restrict user permissions to prevent execution of arbitrary code that could interact with MacVim's IPC
Implement application whitelisting to prevent unauthorized processes from communicating with MacVim

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check MacVim version: Open MacVim, go to 'MacVim' menu → 'About MacVim' and verify version is below 178.

Check Version:

vim --version | grep -i macvim || open -a MacVim and check About dialog

Verify Fix Applied:

Confirm MacVim version is 178 or higher using the About dialog, and verify the IPC mechanism has been secured in the updated code.

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Unusual process interactions with MacVim IPC
Failed privilege escalation attempts
Suspicious network connections to local IPC endpoints

Network Indicators:

Local IPC communication patterns inconsistent with normal MacVim usage

SIEM Query:

process_name:"MacVim" AND (event_type:"privilege_escalation" OR destination_port:"local_ipc")

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2023-41036

CVSS v3 Score: 7.8 (HIGH)

CVSS Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CWE: CWE-269

Published: November 7, 2023

Last Updated: November 21, 2024

🔗 References

📤 Share & Export

📄 Export Markdown 📋 Export JSON

🔗 Related Vulnerabilities

If you're affected by CVE-2023-41036, you might also want to check these: