Critical Security Flaws in Vim Packages: Denial of Service and Arbitrary Code Execution
Summary
ALSA-2026:48650: Important: vim security update. Affects vim-X11 versions < 2:9.1.083-9.el10_2.12. Fixed in 2:9.1.083-9.el10_2.12. How to fix ↓
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Background
Vim (Vi IMproved) is a highly popular text editor known for its efficiency and extensibility. It is widely used by developers for programming and text editing tasks. The affected packages include vim-X11, vim-common, vim-data, vim-enhanced, vim-filesystem, vim-minimal, and xxd, all part of the AlmaLinux ecosystem. These packages provide essential functionalities for users, but recent vulnerabilities have raised significant security concerns.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerabilities in Vim stem from multiple issues, including a denial of service via stack out-of-bounds write in the spell_soundfold_sofo() function, and arbitrary code execution through malicious docstrings in Python omni-completion. Other vulnerabilities include out-of-bounds writes in the Spell File Word Count, and arbitrary command execution via crafted files in PHP and C omni-completion. These vulnerabilities can lead to severe consequences, including system crashes and unauthorized access to sensitive data.
How To Fix
Minimum fixed version
2:9.1.083-9.el10_2.12
This is the first release that contains the fix.
sudo dnf update vim-X11Tip — Not sure which version your app runs? Vulert can match this fix to it. Scan free →
Workaround
As a temporary workaround, users are advised to avoid using the specific features that trigger the vulnerabilities, such as Python and PHP omni-completion functionalities, until the packages are updated.
Conclusion
The recent security update for Vim packages addresses critical vulnerabilities that could lead to denial of service and arbitrary code execution. Users are strongly encouraged to update their packages to the latest version to mitigate these risks. Utilizing tools like Vulert can further enhance security by monitoring for vulnerabilities in real-time.
See every vulnerability recorded for vim-X11 →
FAQ
The vulnerabilities include denial of service and arbitrary code execution, which can be exploited through specific functionalities in the editor.
You can use Vulert, which monitors open-source vulnerabilities in real-time. By uploading your manifest file like package-lock.json, you can check for vulnerabilities without needing to install any software.
If an immediate update is not possible, refrain from using the features that are known to be vulnerable, such as Python and PHP omni-completion.
Detailed information about the security issues and updates can be found on the CVE pages linked in the advisory.
Yes, you can use Vulert's playground to automate vulnerability checks for your applications without requiring any signup.
Related vulnerabilities
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