Vim helptags_one() function code execution

vim-helptagsone-code-execution (35655) The risk level is classified as MediumMedium Risk

Description:

Vim could allow a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code on the system, caused by a format string vulnerability in the helptags_one() function. By persuading a victim to view a specially-crafted help file with a malicious helptags command, a remote attacker could exploit this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code on the system.

Platforms Affected:

  • Canonical, Ubuntu 6.06 LTS
  • Canonical, Ubuntu 6.10
  • Canonical, Ubuntu 7.04
  • Debian, Debian Linux 3.1
  • Debian, Debian Linux 4.0
  • MandrakeSoft, Mandrake Linux 2007
  • MandrakeSoft, Mandrake Linux 2007 X86_64
  • MandrakeSoft, Mandrake Linux 2007.1
  • MandrakeSoft, Mandrake Linux 2007.1 X86_64
  • MandrakeSoft, Mandrake Linux 2008.0 X86_64
  • MandrakeSoft, Mandrake Linux Corporate Server 4.0
  • MandrakeSoft, Mandrake Linux Corporate Server 4.0 X86_64
  • SuSE, SuSE Linux
  • Vim, Vim prior to 7.1.039

Remedy:

Upgrade to the latest version of Vim (7.1.039 or later), available from the Vim FTP Web site. See References.

For Mandriva Linux (vim):
Refer to MDKSA-2007:168 for patch, upgrade, or suggested workaround information. See References.

For Ubuntu Linux (vim):
Refer to USN-505-1 for patch, upgrade, or suggested workaround information. See References.

For SUSE Linux (vim):
Refer to SUSE-SR:2007:018 for patch, upgrade, or suggested workaround information. See References.

For Debian GNU/Linux (vim):
Refer to DSA-1364-1 for patch, upgrade, or suggested workaround information. See References.

For Debian GNU/Linux (vim):
Refer to DSA-1364-2 for patch, upgrade, or suggested workaround information. See References.

For other distributions:
Contact your vendor for upgrade or patch information.

Consequences:

Gain Access

References:

  • Vim FTP Web site, FTP directory /pub/vim/patches/7.1/ at ftp.vim.org at ftp://ftp.vim.org/pub/vim/patches/7.1/.
  • BID-25095: Vim HelpTags Command Remote Format String Vulnerability
  • CVE-2007-2953: Format string vulnerability in the helptags_one function in src/ex_cmds.c in Vim 6.4 and earlier, and 7.x up to 7.1, allows user-assisted remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via format string specifiers in a help-tags tag in a help file, related to the helptags command.
  • DSA-1364: vim -- several vulnerabilities
  • FrSIRT/ADV-2007-2687: Vim helptags_one() Function helptags Command Format String Vulnerability
  • MDKSA-2007:168: Updated vim packages fix vulnerability
  • SA25941: Vim "helptags" Command Format String Vulnerability
  • SUSE-SR:2007:018: SUSE Security Summary Report
  • USN-505-1: vim vulnerability

Reported:

Jul 27, 2007

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