# CVE-2008-3432: Memory corruption in n/a

> Heap-based buffer overflow in Vim allows attackers to execute arbitrary code via shell metacharacters in filenames, requiring user interaction to open malicious files.

- **Severity:** Medium 6.8 (`AV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Local or same network only
- **Victim action needed:** A user has to click or open something
- **Fix available:** Yes
- **Published:** 10 Oct 2008
- **Updated:** 7 Aug 2024
- **Also known as:** GHSA-2fqm-grvm-7h89

## What is CVE-2008-3432?

CVE-2008-3432 is a medium-severity memory corruption vulnerability in Vim Vim, published on 10 Oct 2008. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.

### Official description

Heap-based buffer overflow in the mch_expand_wildcards function in os_unix.c in Vim 6.2 and 6.3 allows user-assisted attackers to execute arbitrary code via shell metacharacters in filenames, as demonstrated by the netrw.v3 test case.

Weakness: CWE-119 (Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2008-3432?

It affects 1 product.


Products: Vim Vim.

## How do I fix CVE-2008-3432?

Upgrade to a fixed version.

## Is CVE-2008-3432 being exploited?

It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2008-3432 exists.

Public exploit code:

- Vim - 'mch_expand_wildcards()' Heap Buffer Overflow (exploitdb)

## Other vulnerabilities in Vim Vim

- [CVE-2020-20703](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2020-20703/): Memory corruption in n/a (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2017-6349](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2017-6349/): Integer overflow in n/a (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2017-6350](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2017-6350/): Integer overflow in n/a (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2017-5953](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2017-5953/): Integer overflow in n/a (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2008-3075](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2008-3075/): Command injection in n/a (critical 9.3)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2008-3432 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2008-3432 is a medium-severity memory corruption vulnerability in Vim Vim, published on 10 Oct 2008. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.
Exploitation: It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2008-3432 exists.

Affected product: Vim Vim. No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2008-3432/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2008-3432/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2008-3432
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2008-3432
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2008-3432

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2008-3432/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.