Description
vim 6.3 before 6.3.082, with modelines enabled, allows external user-assisted attackers to execute arbitrary commands via shell metacharacters in the (1) glob or (2) expand commands of a foldexpr expression for calculating fold levels.
Fixed in Linux distributions
Distributions backport fixes, so the version that fixes this vulnerability differs per release — upgrade to at least the version shown. From the distributions' security trackers and advisories.
Debian
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debian 14 | vim | 1:6.3-085+1 | — |
| Debian 13 | vim | 1:6.3-085+1 | — |
| Debian 12 | vim | 1:6.3-085+1 | — |
| Debian 4.0 | vim | 1:6.3-085+0.0etch1 | DTSA-12-1 |
Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 4 | vim +4 | 1:6.3.046-0.40E.7 | RHSA-2005:745 |
| RHEL 3 | vim +4 | 1:6.3.046-0.30E.4 | RHSA-2005:745 |
Advisories 2
- RHSA-2005:745 Red Hat Security Advisory: vim security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 26, 2026
- DTSA-12-1 vim - modeline exploits Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
References
- 14374 vdb-entry
- RHSA-2005:745 vendor-advisory
- 20050725 Help poor children in Uganda mailing-list
- http://www.guninski.com/where_do_you_want_billg_to_go_today_5.html
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:11302 vdb-entry signature