CVE-2001-0408 in VIM
Summary
by MITRE
vim (aka gvim) processes VIM control codes that are embedded in a file, which could allow attackers to execute arbitrary commands when another user opens a file containing malicious VIM control codes.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/25/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2001-0408 represents a critical command injection flaw in the vim text editor implementation known as gvim. This vulnerability stems from the editor's improper handling of VIM control codes that can be embedded within files, creating a scenario where malicious code execution becomes possible when unsuspecting users open compromised files. The flaw exists in the way the application processes and interprets control sequences that are typically used for legitimate text editing operations but can be manipulated to execute arbitrary commands on the target system.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the insufficient validation and sanitization of input data within the vim editor's processing pipeline. When a user opens a file containing malicious VIM control codes, the editor's parsing mechanism fails to properly distinguish between legitimate control sequences and potentially harmful embedded commands. This lack of proper input filtering creates an attack surface where an attacker can embed specially crafted control codes that trigger unintended system behavior. The vulnerability specifically affects the gvim graphical interface version of the vim editor, making it particularly dangerous in environments where graphical file opening is common. According to CWE classification, this represents a weakness in input validation where the application fails to properly sanitize user-provided data before processing it, falling under CWE-20: Improper Input Validation.
The operational impact of CVE-2001-0408 is significant and far-reaching across multiple security domains. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by creating malicious files containing embedded VIM control codes that execute commands with the privileges of the user opening the file. This could lead to complete system compromise, privilege escalation, or unauthorized access to sensitive data. The attack vector is particularly insidious because it relies on social engineering elements, where users unknowingly open seemingly benign files that contain malicious embedded code. The vulnerability creates a persistent threat vector in environments where file sharing occurs frequently, as a single compromised file can affect multiple users across a network. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, where adversaries leverage legitimate system tools to execute malicious code.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2001-0408 should focus on both immediate protective measures and long-term architectural improvements. Users should be educated about the dangers of opening files from untrusted sources and the importance of verifying file integrity before opening them in vim or gvim applications. System administrators should consider disabling the automatic execution of embedded control codes within the editor or implementing strict file type validation for files opened in the editor. The most effective long-term solution involves updating to patched versions of vim that properly validate and sanitize all input data, including embedded control sequences. Organizations should also implement network-level protections such as email filtering and file scanning to prevent malicious files from reaching end users. Additionally, security policies should mandate regular updates to text editing tools and establish procedures for verifying the integrity of files before opening them in potentially vulnerable applications. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation in application security and serves as a reminder of how seemingly benign features can become attack vectors when proper security controls are not implemented.