CVE-2022-4141 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Heap-based Buffer Overflow in vim/vim allows attackers to exploit a vulnerability in a specific expression, affecting versions 9.0.0946 and below.

Understanding CVE-2022-4141

This vulnerability allows an attacker to trigger a buffer overflow by using a certain command in the expression of the substitute command on vim/vim versions 9.0.0946 and earlier.

What is CVE-2022-4141?

CVE-2022-4141 is a heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability in vim/vim that enables attackers to execute malicious code by manipulating a specific expression within the substitute command.

The Impact of CVE-2022-4141

The impact of this vulnerability is rated as HIGH due to its ability to cause confidentiality, integrity, and availability issues on affected systems. With a CVSS base score of 7.3, it poses a significant security risk.

Technical Details of CVE-2022-4141

This section outlines the technical aspects of the CVE-2022-4141 vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from a heap-based buffer overflow in the expression used in the Right-Hand Side (RHS) of the substitute command in vim/vim.

Affected Systems and Versions

Versions 9.0.0946 and below of vim/vim are affected by this vulnerability. Specifically, version 9.0.0947 and earlier are susceptible to exploitation.

Exploitation Mechanism

An attacker can exploit this vulnerability by using the CTRL-W gf command in the expression of the substitute command within vim/vim.

Mitigation and Prevention

To protect systems from CVE-2022-4141, immediate action and long-term security practices should be implemented.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update vim/vim to version 9.0.0947 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor for any unusual activities on the system that may indicate exploitation of the vulnerability.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch all software to prevent known vulnerabilities from being exploited.
Implement strong access controls and user permissions to limit the impact of potential attacks.

Patching and Updates

Refer to the vendor-specific advisories and security updates to apply patches promptly and ensure the security of the system.