How severe is CVE-2019-20807?

CVE-2019-20807 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 5.3, rated medium severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is low, integrity low, and availability low.

Is CVE-2019-20807 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (40th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2019-20807?

CVE-2019-20807 primarily affects Vim. In total, 9 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2019-20807?

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

When was CVE-2019-20807 published?

CVE-2019-20807 was published on 2020-05-28 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2019-20807

CVE-2019-20807 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Vim with a CVSS 3.x base score of 5.3. 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-78.

Key facts

Severity: Medium (CVSS 3.x base score 5.3)
CVSS v2: 4.6
EPSS exploit prediction: 0% (40th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-78
Affected product: Vim
Published: 2020-05-28
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

In Vim before 8.1.0881, users can circumvent the rvim restricted mode and execute arbitrary OS commands via scripting interfaces (e.g., Python, Ruby, or Lua).

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2019-20807?: In Vim before 8.1.0881, users can circumvent the rvim restricted mode and execute arbitrary OS commands via scripting interfaces (e.g., Python, Ruby, or Lua).
How severe is CVE-2019-20807?: CVE-2019-20807 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 5.3, rated medium severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is low, integrity low, and availability low.
Is CVE-2019-20807 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (40th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2019-20807?: CVE-2019-20807 primarily affects Vim. In total, 9 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2019-20807?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.
When was CVE-2019-20807 published?: CVE-2019-20807 was published on 2020-05-28 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (9)

cpe:2.3:a:vim:vim:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:9.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:opensuse:leap:15.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:16.04:*:*:*:esm:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:18.04:*:*:*:lts:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.13.6:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.14.6:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:starwindsoftware:command_center:2:build_6003:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:starwindsoftware:san_\&_nas:1.0:update_1:*:*:*:*:*:*

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