CVE-2025-53905 MEDIUM

CVE-2025-53905: Vim has path traversial issue with tar.vim and special crafted tar files

Vendor Vim
Product vim
Weakness CWE-22 · Path traversal
Published July 15, 2025
Last update November 4, 2025

CVSS base score

4.1/10
Attack vector Local
Attack complexity High
Privileges required None
User interaction Required
Confidentiality None
Integrity Low

CVSS vector

CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:N/I:L/A:L

What the vulnerability does

01Description

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.

Key dates

02Disclosure timeline

July 15, 2025 CVE published
November 4, 2025 Record updated