Vim, gVim: Remote execution of arbitrary code

Background

Vim is an efficient, highly configurable improved version of the classic ‘vi’ text editor. gVim is the GUI version of Vim.

Description

Vim and gVim do not properly validate values for the ‘filetype’, ‘syntax’, and ‘keymap’ options.

Impact

A remote attacker could entice a user to open a specially crafted file using Vim/gVim with certain modeline options enabled possibly resulting in execution of arbitrary code with the privileges of the process.

Workaround

Disabling modeline support in .vimrc by adding “set nomodeline” will prevent exploitation of this flaw. By default, modeline is enabled for ordinary users but disabled for root.

Resolution

All Vim users should upgrade to the latest version:

 # emerge --sync
 # emerge --ask --oneshot --verbose ">=app-editors/vim-8.0.0106"

All gVim users should upgrade to the latest version:

 # emerge --sync
 # emerge --ask --oneshot --verbose ">=app-editors/gvim-8.0.0106"