CVE-2023-1175 in vim
Summary
by MITRE • 03/04/2023
Incorrect Calculation of Buffer Size in GitHub repository vim/vim prior to 9.0.1378.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/11/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-1175 represents a critical buffer size calculation flaw within the vim text editor repository maintained by GitHub. This issue affects versions prior to 9.0.1378 and stems from an incorrect implementation of buffer size determination logic within the software's memory management subsystem. The flaw manifests when vim processes certain input data structures that require dynamic buffer allocation, leading to potential memory corruption scenarios that could be exploited by malicious actors.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the improper calculation of buffer dimensions when handling specific text processing operations. When vim encounters particular input patterns or file formats, the internal buffer size calculation routine fails to account for all necessary overhead requirements, resulting in insufficient memory allocation for the intended data processing. This miscalculation creates a condition where subsequent memory operations may overwrite adjacent memory regions, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or denial of service conditions. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-122, which describes improper restriction of operations within a memory buffer, and represents a classic example of buffer overflow conditions that have plagued software systems for decades.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-1175 extends significantly across various deployment scenarios where vim serves as a core text editing tool. System administrators, developers, and end users who rely on vim for routine text processing, scripting, or configuration file management face potential security risks when operating vulnerable versions. Attackers could exploit this flaw by crafting malicious input files or text patterns that trigger the faulty buffer calculation logic, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in environments where vim is used for processing untrusted input, such as web applications, automated scripts, or collaborative development platforms where arbitrary text data might be processed through the editor.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of all affected vim installations to version 9.0.1378 or later, which contains the corrected buffer size calculation logic. Organizations should prioritize updating their systems, particularly those running older vim versions or custom builds that may not have received the security patch. Additionally, implementing defensive programming practices such as input validation and memory boundary checking can provide additional protection layers. Security teams should monitor for exploitation attempts and consider network-based detection mechanisms that can identify suspicious vim usage patterns. The remediation process should also include comprehensive testing to ensure that the patched version functions correctly without introducing regressions in existing functionality. Organizations following secure coding practices should review their own codebases for similar buffer calculation issues that might present analogous vulnerabilities within their software ecosystems.