CVE-2023-4781: vim/vim · Heap-based Buffer Overflow
Affects vim/vimSource CVE Database V5
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 7.8 High : upgrade to 9.0.1873 soon.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 06:26 UTC
- EPSS
- 0.6% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 49% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
- Patch
- Available – fixed in 9.0.1873
CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:HExploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 5 Sep 2023
Detectable: no evidence on record.
No public nuclei template indexed
Weaponised: no evidence on record.
No public exploit code indexed in Metasploit or Exploit-DB
Exploited in the wildExploited: no evidence on record.
Not in CISA KEV and no source reports exploitation
Observed by OffSeq MirageSeen by Mirage: no evidence on record.
No attack traffic recorded by OffSeq Mirage sensors
A missing step is not evidence of safety. Sources: cve.org (opens in a new tab), the Metasploit, Exploit-DB and nuclei-templates index as of 2026-10-26.
What to do
Upgrade vim/vim to 9.0.1873.
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
GitHubvim/vimpkg:github/vim/vimOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Check your own hosts for these packages with threat-finder (opens in a new tab), our free open-source scanner.
AI-suggested
1. 2. Restrict local access to systems running vulnerable vim versions, ensuring only trusted users have login capabilities. 3. Implement strict user privilege separation and use mandatory access controls (e.g., SELinux, AppArmor) to limit the impact of potential exploitation. 4. Educate users about the risks of opening untrusted files or inputs in vim to reduce the likelihood of triggering the vulnerability. 5. Monitor system logs and behavior for unusual activity that could indicate exploitation attempts. 6. Employ application whitelisting and endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools to detect and prevent unauthorized code execution. 7. Regularly audit and update software inventories to identify and remediate vulnerable vim installations across the organization. 8. Consider containerizing or sandboxing development environments to isolate potential impacts.
Description
Heap-based Buffer Overflow in GitHub repository vim/vim prior to 9.0.1873.
References
- huntr.dev/bounties/c867eb0a-aa8b-4946-a621-510350673883 (opens in a new tab)
- github.com/vim/vim/commit/f6d28fe2c95c678cc3202cc5dc825a3fcc709e93 (opens in a new tab)
- lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2023/09/msg00035.html (opens in a new tab)
- support.apple.com/kb/HT213984 (opens in a new tab)
- seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2023/Oct/24 (opens in a new tab)
- lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2025/03/msg00023.html (opens in a new tab)