Moderate: vim security update

Synopsis

Moderate: vim security update

Type/Severity

Security Advisory: Moderate

Topic

Updated vim packages that fix security issues are now available for Red Hat
Enterprise Linux 5.

This update has been rated as having moderate security impact by the Red Hat
Security Response Team.

Description

Vim (Visual editor IMproved) is an updated and improved version of the vi
editor.

Several input sanitization flaws were found in Vim's keyword and tag
handling. If Vim looked up a document's maliciously crafted tag or keyword,
it was possible to execute arbitrary code as the user running Vim.
(CVE-2008-4101)

Multiple security flaws were found in netrw.vim, the Vim plug-in providing
file reading and writing over the network. If a user opened a specially
crafted file or directory with the netrw plug-in, it could result in
arbitrary code execution as the user running Vim. (CVE-2008-3076)

A security flaw was found in zip.vim, the Vim plug-in that handles ZIP
archive browsing. If a user opened a ZIP archive using the zip.vim plug-in,
it could result in arbitrary code execution as the user running Vim.
(CVE-2008-3075)

A security flaw was found in tar.vim, the Vim plug-in which handles TAR
archive browsing. If a user opened a TAR archive using the tar.vim plug-in,
it could result in arbitrary code execution as the user runnin Vim.
(CVE-2008-3074)

Several input sanitization flaws were found in various Vim system
functions. If a user opened a specially crafted file, it was possible to
execute arbitrary code as the user running Vim. (CVE-2008-2712)

Ulf Harnhammar, of Secunia Research, discovered a format string flaw in
Vim's help tag processor. If a user was tricked into executing the
"helptags" command on malicious data, arbitrary code could be executed with
the permissions of the user running Vim. (CVE-2007-2953)

All Vim users are advised to upgrade to these updated packages, which
contain backported patches to correct these issues.

Solution

Before applying this update, make sure that all previously-released
errata relevant to your system have been applied.

This update is available via Red Hat Network. Details on how to use
the Red Hat Network to apply this update are available at
http://kbase.redhat.com/faq/FAQ_58_10188

Affected Products

• Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server 5 x86_64
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server 5 ia64
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server 5 i386
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server - Extended Update Support 5.2 x86_64
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server - Extended Update Support 5.2 ia64
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server - Extended Update Support 5.2 i386
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation 5 x86_64
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation 5 i386
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux Desktop 5 x86_64
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux Desktop 5 i386
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux for IBM z Systems 5 s390x
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux for IBM z Systems - Extended Update Support 5.2 s390x
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux for Power, big endian 5 ppc
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux for Power, big endian - Extended Update Support 5.2 ppc
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server from RHUI 5 x86_64
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server from RHUI 5 i386

Fixes

• BZ - 248542 - CVE-2007-2953 vim format string flaw
• BZ - 451759 - CVE-2008-2712 vim: command execution via scripts not sanitizing inputs to execute and system
• BZ - 461927 - CVE-2008-4101 vim: arbitrary code execution in commands: K, Control-], g]
• BZ - 467428 - CVE-2008-3074 Vim tar.vim plugin: improper Implementation of shellescape() (arbitrary code execution)
• BZ - 467432 - CVE-2008-3075 Vim zip.vim plugin: improper Implementation of shellescape() (arbitrary code execution)
• BZ - 467439 - CVE-2008-3076 Vim netrw.vim plugin: lack of sanitization throughout netrw.vim can lead to arbitrary code execution

CVEs

• CVE-2008-2712
• CVE-2007-2953
• CVE-2008-4101
• CVE-2008-3075
• CVE-2008-3074
• CVE-2008-6235

References

• http://www.redhat.com/security/updates/classification/#moderate