GLSA 201701-29: Vim, gVim: Remote execution of arbitrary code

http://security.gentoo.org/

Severity:	normal
Title:	Vim, gVim: Remote execution of arbitrary code
Date:	01/11/2017
Bugs:	#600650
ID:	201701-29

Synopsis

A vulnerability has been found in Vim and gVim concerning how certain modeline options are treated.

Background

Vim is an efficient, highly configurable improved version of the classic ‘vi’ text editor. gVim is the GUI version of Vim.

Affected packages

Package	Vulnerable	Unaffected	Architecture(s)
app-editors/vim	< 8.0.0106	>= 8.0.0106	All supported architectures
app-editors/gvim	< 8.0.0106	>= 8.0.0106	All supported architectures

Description

Vim and gVim do not properly validate values for the ‘filetype’, ‘syntax’, and ‘keymap’ options.

Impact

A remote attacker could entice a user to open a specially crafted file using Vim/gVim with certain modeline options enabled possibly resulting in execution of arbitrary code with the privileges of the process.

Workaround

Disabling modeline support in .vimrc by adding “set nomodeline” will prevent exploitation of this flaw. By default, modeline is enabled for ordinary users but disabled for root.

Resolution

All Vim users should upgrade to the latest version:

      # emerge --sync
      # emerge --ask --oneshot --verbose ">=app-editors/vim-8.0.0106"

All gVim users should upgrade to the latest version:


      # emerge --sync
      # emerge --ask --oneshot --verbose ">=app-editors/gvim-8.0.0106"

References

CVE-2016-1248

Availability

This GLSA and any updates to it are available for viewing at the Gentoo Security Website: http://security.gentoo.org/glsa/glsa-201701-29.xml

Concerns?

Security is a primary focus of Gentoo Linux and ensuring the confidentiality and security of our users machines is of utmost importance to us. Any security concerns should be addressed to security@gentoo.org or alternatively, you may file a bug at https://bugs.gentoo.org.