CVE Catalog

CVE-2004-1138

High
Published: Translated: NVD NIST

Summary

Vulnerability in VIM and gVIM before version 6.3 allows local users to execute arbitrary commands by opening a file containing a crafted modeline. The attack uses options such as termcap, printdevice, titleold, filetype, syntax, backupext, keymap, patchmode, or langmenu.

Risk Assessment

The risk is that a local user can hijack another user's editor session, executing malicious commands in their context, potentially leading to privilege escalation or data theft.

Recommendation

Update VIM and gVIM to version 6.3 or later. As a workaround, disable modeline support in the configuration file (set nomodeline).

Related vulnerabilities

Original NVD description (English source)

VIM before 6.3 and gVim before 6.3 allow local users to execute arbitrary commands via a file containing a crafted modeline that is executed when the file is viewed using options such as (1) termcap, (2) printdevice, (3) titleold, (4) filetype, (5) syntax, (6) backupext, (7) keymap, (8) patchmode, or (9) langmenu.

Vulnerability data from NVD (NIST) · CISA KEV · EPSS