Description
In Vim before 8.1.0881, users can circumvent the rvim restricted mode and execute arbitrary OS commands via scripting interfaces (e.g., Python, Ruby, or Lua).
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 | 2:8.1.2136-1 | — |
| Debian 13 | vim | 2:8.1.2136-1 | — |
| Debian 12 | vim | 2:8.1.2136-1 | — |
| Debian 9 | vim | 2:8.0.0197-4+deb9u4 | DLA-2876-1 |
Ubuntu
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu 20.04 LTS | vim | 2:8.1.2269-1ubuntu5.4 | USN-5147-1 |
| Ubuntu 18.04 LTS | vim | 2:8.0.1453-1ubuntu1.4 | USN-5147-1, USN-4582-1 |
| Ubuntu 16.04 LTS | vim | 2:7.4.1689-3ubuntu1.5 | USN-4582-1 |
Show 2 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu Pro 16.04 LTS | vim | 2:7.4.1689-3ubuntu1.5+esm3 | USN-5147-1 |
| Ubuntu Pro 14.04 LTS | vim | 2:7.4.052-1ubuntu3.1+esm4 | USN-5147-1 |
Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 8 | vim +5 | 2:8.0.1763-15.el8 | RHSA-2020:4453 |
Rocky Linux
Errata ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rocky Linux 8 | vim | 2:8.0.1763-15.el8 | RLSA-2020:4453 |
SUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| SLES 15 SP2 | vim | 8.0.1568-5.6.1 | SUSE-SU-2020:1551-1 |
| SLES 15 SP1 | vim | 8.0.1568-5.6.1 | SUSE-SU-2020:1551-1 |
| SLES 15 | vim | 8.0.1568-5.6.1 | SUSE-SU-2020:1551-1 |
| SLES 12 SP5 | vim | 7.4.326-17.6.1 | SUSE-SU-2020:1550-1 |
| SLES 12 SP4 | vim | 7.4.326-17.6.1 | SUSE-SU-2020:1550-1 |
Show 15 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| SLES 12 SP3 | vim | 7.4.326-17.6.1 | SUSE-SU-2020:1550-1 |
| SLES 12 SP2 | vim | 7.4.326-17.6.1 | SUSE-SU-2020:1550-1 |
| SLES 11 SP4 | vim | 7.2-8.21.6.2 | SUSE-SU-2020:14385-1 |
| SLES for SAP 15 | vim | 8.0.1568-5.6.1 | SUSE-SU-2020:1551-1 |
| SLES for SAP 12 SP5 | vim | 7.4.326-17.6.1 | SUSE-SU-2020:1550-1 |
| SLES for SAP 12 SP4 | vim | 7.4.326-17.6.1 | SUSE-SU-2020:1550-1 |
| SLES for SAP 12 SP3 | vim | 7.4.326-17.6.1 | SUSE-SU-2020:1550-1 |
| SLES for SAP 12 SP2 | vim | 7.4.326-17.6.1 | SUSE-SU-2020:1550-1 |
| SLE HPC 15 | vim | 8.0.1568-5.6.1 | SUSE-SU-2020:1551-1 |
| SUSE OpenStack Cloud Crowbar 8 | vim | 7.4.326-17.6.1 | SUSE-SU-2020:1550-1 |
| SUSE OpenStack Cloud 8 | vim | 7.4.326-17.6.1 | SUSE-SU-2020:1550-1 |
| SUSE OpenStack Cloud 7 | vim | 7.4.326-17.6.1 | SUSE-SU-2020:1550-1 |
| SUSE Linux Enterprise Point of Sale 11 SP3 | vim | 7.2-8.21.6.2 | SUSE-SU-2020:14385-1 |
| SUSE HPE Helion OpenStack 8 | vim | 7.4.326-17.6.1 | SUSE-SU-2020:1550-1 |
| SUSE Enterprise Storage 5 | vim | 7.4.326-17.6.1 | SUSE-SU-2020:1550-1 |
openSUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| openSUSE Leap 15.1 | vim | 8.0.1568-lp151.5.6.1 | openSUSE-SU-2020:0794-1 |
Oracle Linux
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oracle Linux 8 | vim-X11 +4 | 2:8.0.1763-15.0.1.el8 | ELSA-2020-4453 |
Advisories 10
- USN-5147-1 vim vulnerabilities Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Jun 29, 2026
- RHSA-2020:4453 Red Hat Security Advisory: vim security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 26, 2026
- DLA-2876-1 vim - security update Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- USN-4582-1 vim vulnerabilities Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Feb 10, 2026
- RLSA-2020:4453 Moderate: vim security update Rocky Linux Security Advisories · Feb 5, 2026
- openSUSE-SU-2020:0794-1 Security update for vim SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2020:14385-1 Security update for vim SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2020:1551-1 Security update for vim SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2020:1550-1 Security update for vim SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · May 2, 2025
- ELSA-2020-4453 Moderate: vim security update (Oracle Linux 8) Oracle Linux Security Advisories (ELSA) · Nov 10, 2020
References
- https://github.com/vim/vim/releases/tag/v8.1.0881
- https://github.com/vim/vim/commit/8c62a08faf89663e5633dc5036cd8695c80f1075
- openSUSE-SU-2020:0794 vendor-advisory
- https://support.apple.com/kb/HT211289
- 20200717 APPLE-SA-2020-07-15-2 macOS Catalina 10.15.6, Security Update 2020-004 Mojave, Security Update 2020-004 High Sierra mailing-list
- USN-4582-1 vendor-advisory
- [debian-lts-announce] 20220110 [SECURITY] [DLA 2876-1] vim security update mailing-list
- https://www.starwindsoftware.com/security/sw-20220812-0003/