4.1
MEDIUM CVSS 3.1
CVE-2025-53905
Vim Tar Plugin Path Traversal Vulnerability
Description

Vim is an open source, command line text editor. Prior to version 9.1.1552, a path traversal issue in Vim’s tar.vim plugin can allow overwriting of arbitrary files when opening specially crafted tar archives. Impact is low because this exploit requires direct user interaction. However, successfully exploitation can lead to overwriting sensitive files or placing executable code in privileged locations, depending on the permissions of the process editing the archive. The victim must edit such a file using Vim which will reveal the filename and the file content, a careful user may suspect some strange things going on. Successful exploitation could results in the ability to execute arbitrary commands on the underlying operating system. Version 9.1.1552 contains a patch for the vulnerability.

INFO

Published Date :

July 15, 2025, 9:15 p.m.

Last Modified :

Aug. 14, 2025, 1:41 a.m.

Remotely Exploit :

No

Source :

[email protected]
Affected Products

The following products are affected by CVE-2025-53905 vulnerability. Even if cvefeed.io is aware of the exact versions of the products that are affected, the information is not represented in the table below.

ID Vendor Product Action
1 Vim vim
: Total Affected Vendor : 1 | Products : 1
CVSS Scores
The Common Vulnerability Scoring System is a standardized framework for assessing the severity of vulnerabilities in software and systems. We collect and displays CVSS scores from various sources for each CVE.
Score Version Severity Vector Exploitability Score Impact Score Source
CVSS 3.1 MEDIUM [email protected]
Solution
The Vim package is vulnerable to a path traversal issue, which could lead to arbitrary file overwriting.
  • Update the Vim package.
  • If necessary, restart the application or service.
References to Advisories, Solutions, and Tools

Here, you will find a curated list of external links that provide in-depth information, practical solutions, and valuable tools related to CVE-2025-53905.

URL Resource
https://github.com/vim/vim/commit/87757c6b0a4b2c1f71c72ea8e1438b8fb116b239 Patch
https://github.com/vim/vim/security/advisories/GHSA-74v4-f3x9-ppvr Exploit Vendor Advisory
https://github.com/vim/vim/security/advisories/GHSA-74v4-f3x9-ppvr Exploit Vendor Advisory
CWE - Common Weakness Enumeration

While CVE identifies specific instances of vulnerabilities, CWE categorizes the common flaws or weaknesses that can lead to vulnerabilities. CVE-2025-53905 is associated with the following CWEs:

Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification (CAPEC)

Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification (CAPEC) stores attack patterns, which are descriptions of the common attributes and approaches employed by adversaries to exploit the CVE-2025-53905 weaknesses.

We scan GitHub repositories to detect new proof-of-concept exploits. Following list is a collection of public exploits and proof-of-concepts, which have been published on GitHub (sorted by the most recently updated).

Results are limited to the first 15 repositories due to potential performance issues.

The following list is the news that have been mention CVE-2025-53905 vulnerability anywhere in the article.

Results are limited to the first 20 news articles due to potential performance issues.

The following table lists the changes that have been made to the CVE-2025-53905 vulnerability over time.

Vulnerability history details can be useful for understanding the evolution of a vulnerability, and for identifying the most recent changes that may impact the vulnerability's severity, exploitability, or other characteristics.

  • Initial Analysis by [email protected]

    Aug. 14, 2025

    Action Type Old Value New Value
    Added CPE Configuration OR *cpe:2.3:a:vim:vim:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* versions up to (excluding) 9.1.1552
    Added Reference Type GitHub, Inc.: https://github.com/vim/vim/commit/87757c6b0a4b2c1f71c72ea8e1438b8fb116b239 Types: Patch
    Added Reference Type CISA-ADP: https://github.com/vim/vim/security/advisories/GHSA-74v4-f3x9-ppvr Types: Exploit, Vendor Advisory
    Added Reference Type GitHub, Inc.: https://github.com/vim/vim/security/advisories/GHSA-74v4-f3x9-ppvr Types: Exploit, Vendor Advisory
  • CVE Modified by 134c704f-9b21-4f2e-91b3-4a467353bcc0

    Jul. 18, 2025

    Action Type Old Value New Value
    Added Reference https://github.com/vim/vim/security/advisories/GHSA-74v4-f3x9-ppvr
  • New CVE Received by [email protected]

    Jul. 15, 2025

    Action Type Old Value New Value
    Added Description Vim is an open source, command line text editor. Prior to version 9.1.1552, a path traversal issue in Vim’s tar.vim plugin can allow overwriting of arbitrary files when opening specially crafted tar archives. Impact is low because this exploit requires direct user interaction. However, successfully exploitation can lead to overwriting sensitive files or placing executable code in privileged locations, depending on the permissions of the process editing the archive. The victim must edit such a file using Vim which will reveal the filename and the file content, a careful user may suspect some strange things going on. Successful exploitation could results in the ability to execute arbitrary commands on the underlying operating system. Version 9.1.1552 contains a patch for the vulnerability.
    Added CVSS V3.1 AV:L/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:N/I:L/A:L
    Added CWE CWE-22
    Added Reference https://github.com/vim/vim/commit/87757c6b0a4b2c1f71c72ea8e1438b8fb116b239
    Added Reference https://github.com/vim/vim/security/advisories/GHSA-74v4-f3x9-ppvr
EPSS is a daily estimate of the probability of exploitation activity being observed over the next 30 days. Following chart shows the EPSS score history of the vulnerability.
Vulnerability Scoring Details
Base CVSS Score: 4.1
Attack Vector
Attack Complexity
Privileges Required
User Interaction
Scope
Confidentiality Impact
Integrity Impact
Availability Impact