CVE-2008-3432

CVE-2008-3432 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Vim with a CVSS 2.0 base score of 6.8. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-119.

Key facts

• Severity: Medium (CVSS 2.0 base score 6.8)
• EPSS exploit prediction: 9% (94th percentile)
• Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
• Weakness: CWE-119
• Affected product: Vim
• Published: 2008-10-10
• Last modified: 2026-06-16

Description

Heap-based buffer overflow in the mch_expand_wildcards function in os_unix.c in Vim 6.2 and 6.3 allows user-assisted attackers to execute arbitrary code via shell metacharacters in filenames, as demonstrated by the netrw.v3 test case.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2008-3432?

Heap-based buffer overflow in the mch_expand_wildcards function in os_unix.c in Vim 6.2 and 6.3 allows user-assisted attackers to execute arbitrary code via shell metacharacters in filenames, as demonstrated by the netrw.v3 test case.

How severe is CVE-2008-3432?

CVE-2008-3432 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 6.8, rated medium severity.

Is CVE-2008-3432 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 9% (94th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2008-3432?

CVE-2008-3432 primarily affects Vim. In total, 2 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2008-3432?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.

When was CVE-2008-3432 published?

CVE-2008-3432 was published on 2008-10-10 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

References

• ftp://ftp.vim.org/pub/vim/patches/6.2.429
• ftp://ftp.vim.org/pub/vim/patches/6.3/6.3.059
• http://lists.apple.com/archives/security-announce/2008/Oct/msg00001.html
• http://secunia.com/advisories/32222
• http://secunia.com/advisories/32858
• http://secunia.com/advisories/33410
• http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3216
• http://support.avaya.com/elmodocs2/security/ASA-2009-001.htm
• http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2008/07/15/4
• http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2008/08/01/1
• http://www.redhat.com/support/errata/RHSA-2008-0617.html
• http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/502322/100/0/threaded
• http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/30648
• http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/31681
• http://www.vmware.com/security/advisories/VMSA-2009-0004.html
• http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2008/2780
• http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2009/0033
• http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2009/0904
• https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=455455
• https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/44722
• https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A11203
• https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A5987

Affected products (2)

• cpe:2.3:a:vim:vim:6.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:vim:vim:6.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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