CVE-2017-1000212 in VIM Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
Elixir's vim plugin, alchemist.vim is vulnerable to remote code execution in the bundled alchemist-server. A malicious website can execute requests against an ephemeral port on localhost that are then evaluated as elixir code.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/10/2023
The vulnerability CVE-2017-1000212 affects the alchemist.vim plugin for elixir development environments, representing a critical remote code execution flaw that leverages the bundled alchemist-server component. This issue arises from the plugin's improper handling of requests directed to localhost ports, creating a dangerous attack surface where malicious web content can trigger code execution on vulnerable systems. The vulnerability specifically targets the interaction between the vim plugin and its backend server, exploiting a design flaw that allows arbitrary elixir code evaluation through network requests.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the alchemist-server's lack of proper input validation and authentication mechanisms when processing requests from the vim plugin. When users visit malicious websites while having the alchemist.vim plugin enabled, the plugin automatically attempts to communicate with an ephemeral port on localhost, which the alchemist-server listens on for processing. The server fails to validate the origin or content of these requests, allowing attackers to craft malicious payloads that get executed as elixir code on the target system. This represents a classic case of insecure deserialization and improper request handling, where network-based attacks can escalate to local code execution through the plugin's communication protocols.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with complete control over the affected system's elixir development environment. An attacker could potentially access sensitive source code, modify development configurations, or even establish persistent backdoors through the compromised development environment. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in corporate environments where developers frequently browse untrusted websites while working on elixir applications, creating an attack vector that requires no special privileges or complex exploitation techniques. The ephemeral port nature of the attack means that traditional network-based firewalls or intrusion detection systems may not effectively block this threat, as the malicious requests appear to originate from localhost.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate plugin updates and configuration changes to prevent automatic localhost communication. Users should disable or remove the alchemist.vim plugin when browsing untrusted websites, or configure the plugin to use explicit port restrictions that prevent automatic ephemeral port binding. Network administrators should consider implementing host-based firewalls that restrict localhost communication for development tools, while security teams should monitor for any exploitation attempts through unusual localhost traffic patterns. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-94, which addresses improper control of generation of code, and represents a technique commonly associated with attack patterns in the ATT&CK framework under the execution category, specifically targeting development environment compromise through plugin-based attack vectors.