CVE-2023-48706

Vim is a UNIX editor that, prior to version 9.0.2121, has a heap-use-after-free vulnerability. When executing a `:s` command for the very first time and using a sub-replace-special atom inside the substitution part, it is possible that the recursive `:s` call causes free-ing of memory which may later then be accessed by the initial `:s` command. The user must intentionally execute the payload and the whole process is a bit tricky to do since it seems to work only reliably for the very first :s command. It may also cause a crash of Vim. Version 9.0.2121 contains a fix for this issue.

What this means for your business

It affects Fedoraproject Fedora. It matters if your company, or a supplier that handles your data, runs it.
Code showing how to exploit it has been published, but real attacks have not been confirmed.
An attacker can use it only with access to the machine itself, without a login, but only after tricking someone into an action such as opening a file or a link.

What to do

1Check whether your company or your suppliers run Fedoraproject Fedora, and which version. The affected versions are listed further down this page.
2If you do, apply the vendor's fix. A patch or vendor advisory has been published.

Not sure if your company is exposed?

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Scoring

CVSS: 3.6 (v3.1)
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:L
Weakness: CWE-416
Assigned by: security-advisories@github.com

Dates

Published: 2023-11-22
Last modified: 2026-09-17
Sources: NVD

Affected products

Fedoraproject Fedora38, 39
Netapp Hci Compute Nodeall versions
Neovim Neovim- 0.9.5
Vim Vim- 9.0.2121

As listed in the NVD configuration data. Not a statement about your estate.