CVE-2025-53905: vim Path Traversal

Vulnerability summary

CVE-2025-53905 is a medium (CVSS 4.1) Path Traversal vulnerability in vim. EPSS estimates a 0.29% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 20% of scored vulnerabilities. 1 public exploit is recorded.

Timeline

1. 15-07-2025
   PublishedVulnerability first disclosed.
2. 04-11-2025
   Last modifiedVulnerability information updated.

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.

• CWE-22Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')The product uses external input to construct a pathname that is intended to identify a file or directory that is located underneath a restricted parent directory, but the product does not properly neutralize special elements within the pathname that can cause the pathname to resolve to a location that is outside of the restricted directory.