vim 9.0.2067 src/alloc.c ga_grow_inner use after free

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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4.5$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in vim 9.0.2067. It has been classified as problematic. The impacted element is the function ga_grow_inner of the file src/alloc.c. This manipulation causes use after free. This vulnerability is registered as CVE-2023-46246. Remote exploitation of the attack is possible. No exploit is available. Upgrading the affected component is recommended.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in vim 9.0.2067 (Word Processing Software). It has been declared as problematic. Affected by this vulnerability is the function ga_grow_inner of the file src/alloc.c. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a use after free vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-416. Referencing memory after it has been freed can cause a program to crash, use unexpected values, or execute code. As an impact it is known to affect availability. The summary by CVE is:

Vim is an improved version of the good old UNIX editor Vi. Heap-use-after-free in memory allocated in the function `ga_grow_inner` in in the file `src/alloc.c` at line 748, which is freed in the file `src/ex_docmd.c` in the function `do_cmdline` at line 1010 and then used again in `src/cmdhist.c` at line 759. When using the `:history` command, it's possible that the provided argument overflows the accepted value. Causing an Integer Overflow and potentially later an use-after-free. This vulnerability has been patched in version 9.0.2068.

The weakness was published 10/27/2023 as GHSA-q22m-h7m2-9mgm. The advisory is shared at github.com. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2023-46246 since 10/19/2023. It demands that the victim is doing some kind of user interaction. Technical details are known, but no exploit is available.

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 242732 (NewStart CGSL MAIN 7.02 : vim Multiple Vulnerabilities (NS-SA-2025-0141)), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Upgrading to version 9.0.2068 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch 9198c1f2b1ddecde22af918541e0de2a32f0f45a is able to eliminate this problem. The bugfix is ready for download at github.com. The best possible mitigation is suggested to be upgrading to the latest version.

The vulnerability is also documented in the vulnerability database at Tenable (242732). Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

Productinfo

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Version

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Website

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 4.6
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 4.5

VulDB Base Score: 4.3
VulDB Temp Score: 4.1
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 5.5
NVD Vector: 🔍

CNA Base Score: 4.0
CNA Vector (GitHub, Inc.): 🔍

CVSSv2info

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

Exploitinginfo

Class: Use after free
CWE: CWE-416 / CWE-119
CAPEC: 🔍
ATT&CK: 🔍

Physical: Partially
Local: Yes
Remote: Yes

Availability: 🔍
Status: Not defined

EPSS Score: 🔍
EPSS Percentile: 🔍

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍

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Nessus ID: 242732
Nessus Name: NewStart CGSL MAIN 7.02 : vim Multiple Vulnerabilities (NS-SA-2025-0141)

Threat Intelligenceinfo

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

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔍

Upgrade: vim 9.0.2068
Patch: 9198c1f2b1ddecde22af918541e0de2a32f0f45a

Timelineinfo

10/19/2023 🔍
10/27/2023 +8 days 🔍
10/27/2023 +0 days 🔍
07/26/2025 +638 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Product: github.com

Advisory: GHSA-q22m-h7m2-9mgm
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2023-46246 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2023-46246
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-243745

Entryinfo

Created: 10/27/2023 23:31
Updated: 07/26/2025 15:28
Changes: 10/27/2023 23:31 (53), 11/19/2023 10:18 (11), 02/14/2025 07:12 (16), 07/26/2025 15:28 (2)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

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