How severe is CVE-2004-1138?

CVE-2004-1138 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 7.2, rated high severity.

Is CVE-2004-1138 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (33rd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2004-1138?

CVE-2004-1138 primarily affects Vim Development Group Vim. In total, 16 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2004-1138?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.

When was CVE-2004-1138 published?

CVE-2004-1138 was published on 2005-01-10 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

CVE-2004-1138

CVE-2004-1138 is a high-severity vulnerability in Vim Development Group Vim with a CVSS 2.0 base score of 7.2. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 2.0 base score 7.2)
EPSS exploit prediction: 0% (33rd percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Affected product: Vim Development Group Vim
Published: 2005-01-10
Last modified: 2026-06-16

Description

VIM before 6.3 and gVim before 6.3 allow local users to execute arbitrary commands via a file containing a crafted modeline that is executed when the file is viewed using options such as (1) termcap, (2) printdevice, (3) titleold, (4) filetype, (5) syntax, (6) backupext, (7) keymap, (8) patchmode, or (9) langmenu.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2004-1138?: VIM before 6.3 and gVim before 6.3 allow local users to execute arbitrary commands via a file containing a crafted modeline that is executed when the file is viewed using options such as (1) termcap, (2) printdevice, (3) titleold, (4) filetype, (5) syntax, (6) backupext, (7) keymap, (8) patchmode, or (9) langmenu.
How severe is CVE-2004-1138?: CVE-2004-1138 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 7.2, rated high severity.
Is CVE-2004-1138 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (33rd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2004-1138?: CVE-2004-1138 primarily affects Vim Development Group Vim. In total, 16 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2004-1138?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2004-1138 published?: CVE-2004-1138 was published on 2005-01-10 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

References

Affected products (16)

cpe:2.3:a:vim_development_group:vim:5.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vim_development_group:vim:5.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vim_development_group:vim:5.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vim_development_group:vim:5.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vim_development_group:vim:5.4:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vim_development_group:vim:5.5:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vim_development_group:vim:5.6:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vim_development_group:vim:5.7:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vim_development_group:vim:5.8:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vim_development_group:vim:6.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vim_development_group:vim:6.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vim_development_group:vim:6.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vim_development_group:vim:6.3.011:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vim_development_group:vim:6.3.025:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vim_development_group:vim:6.3.030:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vim_development_group:vim:6.3.044:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

More vulnerabilities in Vim Development Group Vim

CVE-2005-2368 — Critical (CVSS 9.3): vim 6.3 before 6.3.082, with modelines enabled, allows external user-assisted attackers to execute arbitrary commands…
CVE-2007-2438 — High (CVSS 7.6): The sandbox for vim allows dangerous functions such as (1) writefile, (2) feedkeys, and (3) system, which might allow…
CVE-2007-2953 — Medium (CVSS 6.8): 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,…
CVE-2001-0408 — Medium (CVSS 5.1): vim (aka gvim) processes VIM control codes that are embedded in a file, which could allow attackers to execute…
CVE-2005-0069 — Medium (CVSS 4.6): The (1) tcltags or (2) vimspell.sh scripts in vim 6.3 allow local users to overwrite or create arbitrary files via a…
CVE-2002-1377 — Medium (CVSS 4.6): vim 6.0 and 6.1, and possibly other versions, allows attackers to execute arbitrary commands using the libcall feature…

All CVEs affecting Vim Development Group Vim →