How severe is CVE-2016-1248?

CVE-2016-1248 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2016-1248 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 25% (98th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2016-1248?

CVE-2016-1248 primarily affects Debian Debian Linux. In total, 2 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2016-1248?

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-2016-1248 published?

CVE-2016-1248 was published on 2016-11-23 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2016-1248

CVE-2016-1248 is a high-severity vulnerability in Debian Debian Linux with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score of 25% places it in the 98th percentile, indicating an elevated likelihood of exploitation. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-20.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.8)
CVSS v2: 6.8
EPSS exploit prediction: 25% (98th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-20
Affected product: Debian Debian Linux
Published: 2016-11-23
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

vim before patch 8.0.0056 does not properly validate values for the 'filetype', 'syntax' and 'keymap' options, which may result in the execution of arbitrary code if a file with a specially crafted modeline is opened.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2016-1248?: vim before patch 8.0.0056 does not properly validate values for the 'filetype', 'syntax' and 'keymap' options, which may result in the execution of arbitrary code if a file with a specially crafted modeline is opened.
How severe is CVE-2016-1248?: CVE-2016-1248 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2016-1248 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 25% (98th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2016-1248?: CVE-2016-1248 primarily affects Debian Debian Linux. In total, 2 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2016-1248?: 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-2016-1248 published?: CVE-2016-1248 was published on 2016-11-23 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (2)

cpe:2.3:a:vim:vim:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:8.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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