Critical Integer Overflow Vulnerability in Vim Package
Summary
UBUNTU-CVE-2022-2285: Integer Overflow or Wraparound in GitHub repository vim/vim prior to 9.0. Affects vim versions < 2:7.4.052-1ubuntu3.1+esm11. Fixed in 2:7.4.052-1ubuntu3.1+esm11. How to fix ↓
Check if this vulnerability affects your application
Upload a manifest or SBOM and we'll show whether you're affected, plus every other risky package in the same scan.
No signup required · Results in about 60 seconds
Habilume
Habit tracker with a companion that grows with you
Complete habits, earn Lume Points, and watch your Lume grow as you stay consistent.
Background
Vim is a highly configurable text editor built to enable efficient text editing. It is widely used by developers and system administrators for its powerful features and extensibility. The package is known for its versatility and is available on various platforms, including Ubuntu. However, it has recently been found to have a critical vulnerability that could lead to severe security implications.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-2285 is an Integer Overflow or Wraparound issue present in the Vim package prior to version 9.0. This flaw allows attackers to exploit the overflow condition, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution, data corruption, or denial of service. The vulnerability arises from improper handling of integer values, which can be manipulated to exceed their maximum limits, resulting in unexpected behavior. The CVSS score for this vulnerability is 7.8, indicating a high severity level.
How To Fix
Minimum fixed version
2:7.4.052-1ubuntu3.1+esm11
This is the first release that contains the fix.
sudo apt-get install --only-upgrade vimTip — Not sure which version your app runs? Vulert can match this fix to it. Scan free →
Workaround
If immediate patching is not feasible, users can mitigate the risk by restricting access to the Vim application or by using alternative text editors until the update can be applied.
Conclusion
The integer overflow vulnerability in the Vim package poses a significant risk to users, potentially allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code. It is crucial for users to update their Vim installations to the latest patched versions to mitigate this risk. Additionally, using tools like Vulert can help monitor for such vulnerabilities in real-time.
See every vulnerability recorded for vim →
FAQ
CVE-2022-2285 is a critical integer overflow vulnerability found in the Vim text editor that can lead to arbitrary code execution.
You can check your Vim version by running 'vim --version' in the terminal. Compare it with the patched versions mentioned in the 'how_to_fix' section.
Exploitation of this vulnerability could lead to arbitrary code execution, data corruption, or denial of service, posing significant risks to system integrity.
Yes, you can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities in your software using just a manifest file like package-lock.json.
Detailed information can be found in the Ubuntu security notices and on the official GitHub repository for Vim.
Related vulnerabilities
Recent vulnerabilities recorded for vim.
Habilume
Habit tracker with a companion that grows with you
Complete habits, earn Lume Points, and watch your Lume grow as you stay consistent.
