CVE-2023-4751 – CVE-2023-4751 is a heap-based buffer overflow v... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2023-4751?

CVE-2023-4751 has a CVSS score of 7.8 (HIGH). CVE-2023-4751 is a heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability in Vim text editor versions prior to 9.0.1331. Attackers can exploit this by tricking users into opening specially crafted files, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution. This affects all users running vulnerable Vim versions on any platform.

📋 TL;DR

CVE-2023-4751 is a heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability in Vim text editor versions prior to 9.0.1331. Attackers can exploit this by tricking users into opening specially crafted files, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution. This affects all users running vulnerable Vim versions on any platform.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

Vim text editor

Versions: All versions prior to 9.0.1331

Operating Systems: Linux, macOS, Windows, BSD, Unix-like systems

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: Vim is included by default in many Linux distributions and macOS. The vulnerability is in core Vim code, not specific to any configuration.

📦 What is this software?

Macos by Apple

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View all CVEs affecting Vim →

⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

🔴

Worst Case

Remote code execution with the privileges of the Vim user, potentially leading to full system compromise, data theft, or lateral movement.

🟠

Likely Case

Application crash (denial of service) or limited code execution within Vim's process context.

🟢

If Mitigated

Minimal impact if proper sandboxing, privilege separation, and file validation are implemented.

🌐 Internet-Facing: LOW - Vim is typically not directly internet-facing, though could be exploited via downloaded files.

🏢 Internal Only: MEDIUM - Internal users could be targeted via malicious files in shared drives or email attachments.

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ⚠️ Yes

Weaponized: LIKELY

Unauthenticated Exploit: ✅ No

Complexity: MEDIUM

Exploitation requires user interaction (opening a malicious file). Proof-of-concept code is available in public disclosures.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: 9.0.1331 and later

Vendor Advisory: https://github.com/vim/vim/commit/e1121b139480f53d1b06f84f3e4574048108fa0b

Restart Required: No

Instructions:

1. Update Vim using your system's package manager (apt, yum, brew, etc.). 2. For source installations: git pull from official repository and rebuild. 3. Verify version with 'vim --version' shows 9.0.1331 or higher.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Disable vulnerable file types

all

Configure Vim to avoid processing potentially malicious file formats

Add to .vimrc: autocmd BufRead * if &ft == 'vulnerable_format' | set readonly | endif

Run Vim with reduced privileges

linux

Use privilege separation to limit potential damage

sudo -u nobody vim
runuser -u nobody -- vim

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Restrict Vim usage to trusted users only via sudoers or group policies
Implement application allowlisting to prevent unauthorized Vim execution

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Run 'vim --version' and check if version is below 9.0.1331

Check Version:

vim --version | head -1

Verify Fix Applied:

Confirm 'vim --version' shows 9.0.1331 or higher, and test with known safe files

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Segmentation fault or crash logs from Vim process
Unexpected child process spawning from Vim

Network Indicators:

Unusual outbound connections from Vim process (less likely)

SIEM Query:

process_name:vim AND (event_id:1000 OR signal:SIGSEGV)

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2023-4751

CVSS v3 Score: 7.8 (HIGH)

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

CWE: CWE-122

Published: September 3, 2023

Last Updated: November 21, 2024

🔗 References

http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2023/Oct/24 Mailing List,Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/vim/vim/commit/e1121b139480f53d1b06f84f3e4574048108fa0b Patch
https://huntr.dev/bounties/db7be8d6-6cb7-4ae5-9c4e-805423afa378 Exploit,Patch,Third Party Advisory
https://support.apple.com/kb/HT213984 Release Notes,Third Party Advisory
http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2023/Oct/24 Mailing List,Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/vim/vim/commit/e1121b139480f53d1b06f84f3e4574048108fa0b Patch
https://huntr.dev/bounties/db7be8d6-6cb7-4ae5-9c4e-805423afa378 Exploit,Patch,Third Party Advisory
https://support.apple.com/kb/HT213984 Release Notes,Third Party Advisory

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🔗 Related Vulnerabilities

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