How severe is CVE-2008-4101?

CVE-2008-4101 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 9.3, rated critical severity.

Is CVE-2008-4101 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 9% (95th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2008-4101?

CVE-2008-4101 primarily affects Vim. In total, 19 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2008-4101?

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

When was CVE-2008-4101 published?

CVE-2008-4101 was published on 2008-09-18 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

CVE-2008-4101

CVE-2008-4101 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Vim with a CVSS 2.0 base score of 9.3. 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-20.

Key facts

Severity: Critical (CVSS 2.0 base score 9.3)
EPSS exploit prediction: 9% (95th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-20
Affected product: Vim
Published: 2008-09-18
Last modified: 2026-06-16

Description

Vim 3.0 through 7.x before 7.2.010 does not properly escape characters, which allows user-assisted attackers to (1) execute arbitrary shell commands by entering a K keystroke on a line that contains a ";" (semicolon) followed by a command, or execute arbitrary Ex commands by entering an argument after a (2) "Ctrl-]" (control close-square-bracket) or (3) "g]" (g close-square-bracket) keystroke sequence, a different issue than CVE-2008-2712.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2008-4101?: Vim 3.0 through 7.x before 7.2.010 does not properly escape characters, which allows user-assisted attackers to (1) execute arbitrary shell commands by entering a K keystroke on a line that contains a ";" (semicolon) followed by a command, or execute arbitrary Ex commands by entering an argument after a (2) "Ctrl-]" (control close-square-bracket) or (3) "g]" (g close-square-bracket) keystroke sequence, a different issue than CVE-2008-2712.
How severe is CVE-2008-4101?: CVE-2008-4101 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 9.3, rated critical severity.
Is CVE-2008-4101 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 9% (95th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2008-4101?: CVE-2008-4101 primarily affects Vim. In total, 19 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2008-4101?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its critical severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2008-4101 published?: CVE-2008-4101 was published on 2008-09-18 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

References

Affected products (19)

cpe:2.3:a:vim:vim:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vim:vim:3.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vim:vim:4.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vim:vim:5.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vim:vim:5.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vim:vim:5.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vim:vim:5.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vim:vim:5.4:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vim:vim:5.5:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vim:vim:5.6:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vim:vim:5.7:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vim:vim:5.8:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vim:vim:6.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vim:vim:6.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vim:vim:6.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vim:vim:6.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vim:vim:6.4:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vim:vim:7.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:vim:vim:7.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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