CVE-2022-0128 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE • 01/06/2022
vim is vulnerable to Out-of-bounds Read
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/18/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-0128 represents a critical out-of-bounds read flaw within the vim text editor software. This issue manifests when vim processes certain input data structures, specifically in how it handles memory access during text processing operations. The out-of-bounds read occurs when the application attempts to access memory locations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries, creating potential security risks that could be exploited by malicious actors.
This vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and memory boundary checking within vim's internal processing mechanisms. When encountering malformed or specially crafted input sequences, the editor fails to properly verify array indices or buffer limits before accessing memory locations. The flaw exists in the core text processing routines that handle various file formats and input parsing operations, making it particularly dangerous as it could be triggered through normal editing operations or when processing external files.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory corruption, as it creates potential pathways for remote code execution or information disclosure. Attackers could exploit this weakness by crafting malicious input files or network data that, when processed by vim, would cause the application to read beyond its intended memory boundaries. This could result in sensitive system information leakage, application crashes, or potentially allow adversaries to execute arbitrary code within the context of the vim process. The vulnerability affects multiple versions of vim across different operating systems and deployment scenarios, making it a widespread concern for organizations relying on this text editing tool.
Security professionals should prioritize addressing this vulnerability through immediate patching of affected vim installations. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit exposure and monitor for suspicious file processing activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. The flaw aligns with CWE-129, which specifically addresses insufficient validation of length of inputs, and may map to ATT&CK techniques involving privilege escalation and execution through legitimate system tools. System administrators should also consider implementing additional input validation measures and restricting vim access to trusted users only in environments where the risk of malicious input cannot be fully mitigated through patching. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should include verification of vim installations to ensure all systems are properly updated against this and related out-of-bounds read vulnerabilities.