CVE-2023-4751Public exploit

Code execution via stale Visual-mode state

Published Sep 3, 2023 · Updated Feb 13, 2025

Heap-based buffer overflow in Vim before 9.0.1331 allows local users to execute code or crash the editor through a crafted file. The ex_buffer_all function changes buffers during :ball without first clearing Visual mode, leaving stale cursor state that utfc_ptr2len later reads beyond its heap buffer. Triggering the flaw requires processing attacker-controlled commands in script mode; the resulting memory corruption can execute code with the user's privileges or terminate Vim.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability0.56%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Heap-based buffer overflow in Vim before 9.0.1331 allows local users to execute code or crash the editor through a crafted file. The ex_buffer_all function changes buffers during :ball without first clearing Visual mode, leaving stale cursor state that utfc_ptr2len later reads beyond its heap buffer. Triggering the flaw requires processing attacker-controlled commands in script mode; the resulting memory corruption can execute code with the user's privileges or terminate Vim.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-4751
Published
Sep 3, 2023
Updated
Feb 13, 2025
Vendor
Vim
Product
Vim
Classifications
CWE-122, CWE-787, T1204.002
Attack vector
local
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Sep 3, 2023CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Feb 13, 2025Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=unspecified <9.0.1331

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Vim · Vimversion=unspecified <9.0.1331

Published CVSS scores

7.8huntr.devCVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
7.8NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

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No observations available

Sep 9, 2026Sep 15, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 15, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-122Heap-based Buffer Overflow
CWE-787Out-of-bounds Write
T1204.002User Execution: Malicious File

Public exploit references

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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