Use-After-Free in win_close() in vim
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Network
- Privileges required
- None
- User interaction
- Required
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Impact type
- —
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- None · None · Low
- Fix status
- Partial Red Hat: 5 without a fix
Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · NVD. Fix status from CNA and Red Hat.
Summary
Vim is an open source command line text editor. When closing a window, vim may try to access already freed window structure. Exploitation beyond crashing the application has not been shown to be viable. This issue has been addressed in commit `25aabc2b` which has been included in release version 9.0.2106. Users are advised to upgrade. There are no known workarounds for this vulnerability.
Why it matters now
SSVC decision points
CISA ADP · SSVC 2.0.3
- Exploitation
- None
- Automatable
- No
- Technical impact
- Partial
The decision (Track, Attend, Act) also depends on your mission and well-being impact; see CISA's SSVC guide.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| vim | vim | before 9.0.2106 | 9.0.2106 | Patch available | CNA |
- vim Vendorvim Affected before 9.0.2106 Fixed in 9.0.2106 Patch available CNA
CPE configurations NVD · 4
| CPE | Versions | Role | Vendor |
|---|---|---|---|
| cpe:2.3:a:vim:vim:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | before 9.0.2106 | Vulnerable | vim |
| cpe:2.3:o:fedoraproject:fedora:37:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 37 | Vulnerable | Fedoraproject |
| cpe:2.3:o:fedoraproject:fedora:38:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 38 | Vulnerable | Fedoraproject |
| cpe:2.3:o:fedoraproject:fedora:39:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 39 | Vulnerable | Fedoraproject |
- cpe:2.3:a:vim:vim:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions before 9.0.2106 Vulnerable ·vim
- cpe:2.3:o:fedoraproject:fedora:37:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 37 Vulnerable ·Fedoraproject
- cpe:2.3:o:fedoraproject:fedora:38:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 38 Vulnerable ·Fedoraproject
- cpe:2.3:o:fedoraproject:fedora:39:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 39 Vulnerable ·Fedoraproject
Remediation
- Fix · CNA vim (vim) Fixed in 9.0.2106
Vendor assessments
Red Hat
Red Hat rating: Low. Red Hat's page for this CVE →
| Product | Status | Plan or fix |
|---|---|---|
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6 | Affected | No fix planned: Out of support scope |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 | Affected | No fix planned: Out of support scope |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 | Affected | No fix yet: Fix deferred |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9 | Affected | No fix yet: Fix deferred |
| Red Hat OpenShift AI (RHOAI) | Affected | — |
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2023-48231
- 2026-11-07 Affected versions changed · Red Hat
References
Advisory 3
More Vim vulnerabilities
- TI-2022-03248 Heap-based Buffer Overflow in vim/vim CVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.8
- TI-2024-15103 Vim before 9.0.2142 has a stack-based buffer overflow because did_set_langmap in map.c… CVSS 3.1HIGH 7.8
- TI-2023-05093 Use After Free in vim/vim CVSS 3.1HIGH 7.8
- TI-2023-04407 Heap-based Buffer Overflow in vim/vim CVSS 3.1HIGH 7.8
- TI-2023-04379 Heap-based Buffer Overflow in vim/vim CVSS 3.1HIGH 7.8
- TI-2023-04378 Use After Free in vim/vim CVSS 3.1HIGH 7.8
Sources
- CVE-2023-48231 · CVE Program
- CVE-2023-48231 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- CVE-2023-48231 · Red Hat security data · CC BY 4.0
This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences