CVE-2023-0288 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE • 01/13/2023
Heap-based Buffer Overflow in GitHub repository vim/vim prior to 9.0.1189.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/07/2025
The heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-0288 affects the popular text editor vim version prior to 9.0.1189. This vulnerability resides within the vim repository hosted on GitHub and represents a critical security flaw that could potentially allow remote code execution or system compromise. The issue stems from improper memory management during buffer handling operations, specifically when processing certain input data structures that exceed allocated heap memory boundaries.
This vulnerability manifests as a heap-based buffer overflow, which occurs when a program writes more data to a heap-allocated buffer than it can accommodate. The flaw is classified under CWE-122, which specifically addresses insufficient checking of heap buffer bounds. The vulnerability arises during the processing of malformed input or specific command sequences that trigger the buffer overflow condition. Attackers could exploit this weakness by crafting malicious input that causes the application to write beyond the allocated buffer space, potentially corrupting adjacent memory regions and leading to arbitrary code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data corruption, as it can enable attackers to execute malicious code with the privileges of the affected vim process. This presents significant risks in environments where vim is used for editing sensitive configuration files, code repositories, or processing untrusted input from network sources. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because vim is widely deployed across various operating systems and platforms, making the potential attack surface extensive. Security researchers have noted that exploitation may require specific conditions or user interaction, but the potential for remote code execution remains a serious concern.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-0288 primarily focus on immediate patching of affected vim installations to version 9.0.1189 or later, which contains the necessary memory boundary checks and buffer overflow protections. Organizations should implement comprehensive vulnerability management procedures to ensure all instances of vim are updated promptly. Additional protective measures include restricting vim usage in privileged environments, implementing input validation for all text processing operations, and monitoring system logs for suspicious activities related to vim execution. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter usage and T1203 for exploitation for privilege escalation, highlighting the need for layered security approaches. System administrators should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to restrict execution of unpatched vim versions and establish regular security audits to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities across the infrastructure.