CVE-2008-4677
CVE-2008-4677 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Vim Netrw with a CVSS 2.0 base score of 4.3. 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-255.
Key facts
- Severity: Medium (CVSS 2.0 base score 4.3)
- EPSS exploit prediction: 2% (78th percentile)
- Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
- Weakness: CWE-255
- Affected product: Vim Netrw
- Published:
- Last modified:
Description
autoload/netrw.vim (aka the Netrw Plugin) 109, 131, and other versions before 133k for Vim 7.1.266, other 7.1 versions, and 7.2 stores credentials for an FTP session, and sends those credentials when attempting to establish subsequent FTP sessions to servers on different hosts, which allows remote FTP servers to obtain sensitive information in opportunistic circumstances by logging usernames and passwords. NOTE: the upstream vendor disputes a vector involving different ports on the same host, stating "I'm assuming that they're using the same id and password on that unchanged hostname, deliberately."
Frequently asked questions
- What is CVE-2008-4677?
- autoload/netrw.vim (aka the Netrw Plugin) 109, 131, and other versions before 133k for Vim 7.1.266, other 7.1 versions, and 7.2 stores credentials for an FTP session, and sends those credentials when attempting to establish subsequent FTP sessions to servers on different hosts, which allows remote FTP servers to obtain sensitive information in opportunistic circumstances by logging usernames and passwords. NOTE: the upstream vendor disputes a vector involving different ports on the same host, stating "I'm assuming that they're using the same id and password on that unchanged hostname, deliberately."
- How severe is CVE-2008-4677?
- CVE-2008-4677 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 4.3, rated medium severity.
- Is CVE-2008-4677 being actively exploited?
- It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 2% (78th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- What products are affected by CVE-2008-4677?
- CVE-2008-4677 primarily affects Vim Netrw. In total, 15 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
- How do I fix CVE-2008-4677?
- Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.
- When was CVE-2008-4677 published?
- CVE-2008-4677 was published on 2008-10-22 and last updated on 2026-06-16.
References
- http://groups.google.com/group/vim_dev/browse_thread/thread/2f6fad581a037971/a5fcf4c4981d34e6?show_docid=a5fcf4c4981d34e6
- http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2009-03/msg00004.html
- http://secunia.com/advisories/31464
- http://secunia.com/advisories/34418
- http://www.mandriva.com/security/advisories?name=MDVSA-2008:236
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2008/10/06/4
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2008/10/16/2
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2008/10/20/2
- http://www.rdancer.org/vulnerablevim-netrw-credentials-dis.html
- http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/495432
- http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/495436
- http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/30670
- http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2008/2379
- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=461750
- https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/44419
Affected products (15)
- cpe:2.3:a:vim:netrw:109:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:vim:netrw:110:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:vim:netrw:111:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:vim:netrw:112:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:vim:netrw:113:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:vim:netrw:114:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:vim:netrw:115:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:vim:netrw:116:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:vim:netrw:118:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:vim:netrw:120:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:vim:netrw:121:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:vim:netrw:122:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:vim:netrw:123:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:vim:netrw:128:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:vim:netrw:131:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
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