Vim/Neovim prior 8.1.1365 Modeline getchar.c os command injection

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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7.3$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in Vim and Neovim and classified as critical. This affects an unknown part of the file getchar.c of the component Modeline. Such manipulation leads to os command injection. This vulnerability is listed as CVE-2019-12735. The attack may be performed from remote. In addition, an exploit is available. It is suggested to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, has been found in Vim and Neovim (Word Processing Software). Affected by this issue is an unknown code of the file getchar.c of the component Modeline. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a os command injection vulnerability. Using CWE to declare the problem leads to CWE-78. The product constructs all or part of an OS command using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify the intended OS command when it is sent to a downstream component. Impacted is confidentiality, integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:

getchar.c in Vim before 8.1.1365 and Neovim before 0.3.6 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary OS commands via the :source! command in a modeline, as demonstrated by execute in Vim, and assert_fails or nvim_input in Neovim.

The weakness was presented 06/05/2019 (Website). The advisory is shared for download at securityfocus.com. This vulnerability is handled as CVE-2019-12735 since 06/05/2019. The attack may be launched remotely. No form of authentication is required for exploitation. Successful exploitation requires user interaction by the victim. Technical details as well as a public exploit are known. The MITRE ATT&CK project declares the attack technique as T1202.

The exploit is available at exploit-db.com. It is declared as proof-of-concept. The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 236747 (Alibaba Cloud Linux 3 : 0031: vim (ALINUX3-SA-2022:0031)), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment. The commercial vulnerability scanner Qualys is able to test this issue with plugin 197491 (Ubuntu Security Notification for Vim Vulnerabilities (USN-4016-1)).

Upgrading to version 8.1.1365 eliminates this vulnerability.

The vulnerability is also documented in the databases at Exploit-DB (46973), Tenable (236747) and SecurityFocus (BID 108724†). See VDB-96800 for similar entry. Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.

Productinfo

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Name

License

Website

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 7.4
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 7.1

VulDB Base Score: 6.3
VulDB Temp Score: 5.7
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 8.6
NVD Vector: 🔍

CVSSv2info

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VulDB Base Score: 🔍
VulDB Temp Score: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Os command injection
CWE: CWE-78 / CWE-77 / CWE-74
CAPEC: 🔍
ATT&CK: 🔍

Physical: Partially
Local: Yes
Remote: Yes

Availability: 🔍
Access: Public
Status: Proof-of-Concept
Download: 🔍

EPSS Score: 🔍
EPSS Percentile: 🔍

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍

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Nessus ID: 236747
Nessus Name: Alibaba Cloud Linux 3 : 0031: vim (ALINUX3-SA-2022:0031)

Qualys ID: 🔍
Qualys Name: 🔍

Exploit-DB: 🔍

Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔍

Upgrade: Vim/Neovim 8.1.1365
Patch: github.com

Timelineinfo

06/05/2019 🔍
06/05/2019 +0 days 🔍
06/05/2019 +0 days 🔍
06/06/2019 +1 days 🔍
11/11/2025 +2350 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Product: github.com

Advisory: RHSA-2019:1619⛔
Status: Confirmed
Confirmation: 🔍

CVE: CVE-2019-12735 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2019-12735
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-136028
SecurityFocus: 108724 - Vim and Neovim CVE-2019-12735 Arbitrary Code Execution Vulnerability

scip Labs: https://www.scip.ch/en/?labs.20161013
See also: 🔍

Entryinfo

Created: 06/06/2019 08:34
Updated: 11/11/2025 18:23
Changes: 06/06/2019 08:34 (60), 06/19/2020 21:13 (4), 09/28/2023 08:58 (5), 09/28/2023 09:03 (1), 12/28/2024 05:39 (23), 05/15/2025 20:13 (2), 11/11/2025 18:23 (1)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216:701:103

Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.

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