CVE-2009-0316

CVE-2009-0316 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Vim with a CVSS 2.0 base score of 6.9. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low.

Key facts

• Severity: Medium (CVSS 2.0 base score 6.9)
• EPSS exploit prediction: 3% (85th percentile)
• Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
• Affected product: Vim
• Published: 2009-01-28
• Last modified: 2026-06-16

Description

Untrusted search path vulnerability in src/if_python.c in the Python interface in Vim before 7.2.045 allows local users to execute arbitrary code via a Trojan horse Python file in the current working directory, related to a vulnerability in the PySys_SetArgv function (CVE-2008-5983), as demonstrated by an erroneous search path for plugin/bike.vim in bicyclerepair.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2009-0316?

Untrusted search path vulnerability in src/if_python.c in the Python interface in Vim before 7.2.045 allows local users to execute arbitrary code via a Trojan horse Python file in the current working directory, related to a vulnerability in the PySys_SetArgv function (CVE-2008-5983), as demonstrated by an erroneous search path for plugin/bike.vim in bicyclerepair.

How severe is CVE-2009-0316?

CVE-2009-0316 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 6.9, rated medium severity.

Is CVE-2009-0316 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 3% (85th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2009-0316?

CVE-2009-0316 primarily affects Vim. In total, 21 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2009-0316?

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

When was CVE-2009-0316 published?

CVE-2009-0316 was published on 2009-01-28 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

References

• http://bugs.debian.org/cgi-bin/bugreport.cgi?bug=484305
• http://bugs.debian.org/cgi-bin/bugreport.cgi?bug=493937
• http://lists.apple.com/archives/security-announce/2010//Mar/msg00001.html
• http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4077
• http://www.mandriva.com/security/advisories?name=MDVSA-2009:047
• http://www.nabble.com/Bug-484305%3A-bicyclerepair%3A-bike.vim-imports-untrusted-python-files-from-cwd-td18848099.html
• http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2009/01/26/2
• http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/33447
• https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=481565
• https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/48275
• https://svn.pardus.org.tr/pardus/2008/applications/editors/vim/files/official/7.2.045

Affected products (21)

• cpe:2.3:a:vim:vim:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:vim:vim:1.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:vim:vim:1.22:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• 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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