Detections
Analytics
Amazon Linux 2023 : vim-common, vim-data, vim-default-editor (ALAS2023-2025-1138)
medium Nessus Plugin ID 251378
Synopsis
The remote Amazon Linux 2023 host is missing a security update.Description
It is, therefore, affected by multiple vulnerabilities as referenced in the ALAS2023-2025-1138 advisory.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. (CVE-2025-53905)
Vim is an open source, command line text editor. Prior to version 9.1.1551, a path traversal issue in Vim's zip.vim plugin can allow overwriting of arbitrary files when opening specially crafted zip 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 9.1.1551 contains a patch for the vulnerability. (CVE-2025-53906)
Tenable has extracted the preceding description block directly from the tested product security advisory.
Note that Nessus has not tested for these issues but has instead relied only on the application's self-reported version number.
Solution
Run 'dnf update vim --releasever 2023.8.20250818' to update your system.See Also
https://alas.aws.amazon.com//AL2023/ALAS2023-2025-1138.html
https://alas.aws.amazon.com/faqs.html
Plugin Details
Severity: Medium
ID: 251378
File Name: al2023_ALAS2023-2025-1138.nasl
Version: 1.1
Type: local
Agent: unix
Published: 8/18/2025
Updated: 8/18/2025
Supported Sensors: Continuous Assessment, Nessus Agent, Nessus
Risk Information
VPR
Risk Factor: Medium
Score: 4.6
CVSS v2
Risk Factor: Low
Base Score: 2.6
Temporal Score: 2
Vector: CVSS2#AV:L/AC:H/Au:N/C:N/I:P/A:P
CVSS Score Source: CVE-2025-53906
CVSS v3
Risk Factor: Medium
Base Score: 4.1
Temporal Score: 3.7
Vector: CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:N/I:L/A:L
Temporal Vector: CVSS:3.0/E:P/RL:O/RC:C
Vulnerability Information
CPE: p-cpe:/a:amazon:linux:vim-filesystem, p-cpe:/a:amazon:linux:vim-data, p-cpe:/a:amazon:linux:vim-enhanced-debuginfo, p-cpe:/a:amazon:linux:vim-common, p-cpe:/a:amazon:linux:vim-minimal-debuginfo, p-cpe:/a:amazon:linux:xxd-debuginfo, p-cpe:/a:amazon:linux:xxd, p-cpe:/a:amazon:linux:vim-minimal, p-cpe:/a:amazon:linux:vim-enhanced, p-cpe:/a:amazon:linux:vim-default-editor, p-cpe:/a:amazon:linux:vim-debuginfo, cpe:/o:amazon:linux:2023, p-cpe:/a:amazon:linux:vim-debugsource
Required KB Items: Host/local_checks_enabled, Host/AmazonLinux/release, Host/AmazonLinux/rpm-list
Exploit Available: true
Exploit Ease: No known exploits are available
Patch Publication Date: 8/18/2025
Vulnerability Publication Date: 7/15/2025
Reference Information
CVE: CVE-2025-53905, CVE-2025-53906