LiveActive security incident?Get immediate response
CVE Record

CVE-2018-11319: Syntastic (aka vim-syntastic) through 3.9.0 does not properly handle searches for configuration files (it s...

Syntastic (aka vim-syntastic) through 3.9.0 does not properly handle searches for configuration files (it searches the current directory up to potentially the root). This improper handling might be exploited for arbitrary code execution via a malicious gcc plugin, if an attacker has write access to a directory that is a parent of the base directory of the project being checked. NOTE: exploitation is more difficult after 3.8.0 because filename prediction may be needed.

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
Discuss exposureBack to CVEs
Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

CVE-2018-11319 affects Syntastic, a Vim syntax-checking plugin, through version 3.9.0. The risk is mainly to developer environments: if an attacker can write to a parent directory of a checked project, Syntastic may pick up unsafe configuration and enable code execution through a malicious gcc plugin.

Executive priority

Treat this as a developer-environment hardening issue, not an internet-facing emergency. Prioritize patching where shared directories, multi-user systems, or automated code checks use affected Syntastic versions.

Technical view

Syntastic improperly searched for configuration files from the current directory upward, potentially to the filesystem root. The CVE describes arbitrary code execution via a malicious gcc plugin when an attacker has write access to a parent directory of the checked project. The record notes exploitation became harder after 3.8.0 because filename prediction may be needed.

Likely exposure

Exposure is likely limited to developer workstations or build environments using Syntastic/vim-syntastic through 3.9.0, especially where projects are checked under directories writable by other users or automation.

Exploitation context

The source bundle does not show active exploitation, and KEV is false. Exploitation depends on attacker write access to a parent directory of the project being checked and relevant Syntastic/gcc-plugin behavior.

Researcher notes

The main research focus is configuration-file discovery behavior and trust boundaries around parent directories. Evidence supports possible code execution only under constrained filesystem-write conditions. The CVE notes reduced exploitability after version 3.8.0 due to filename prediction requirements.

Mitigation direction

  • Update vim-syntastic using the relevant vendor or distribution security advisory.
  • Confirm installed Syntastic includes the upstream fix referenced in the source bundle.
  • Avoid checking projects under parent directories writable by untrusted users.
  • Review Debian DSA-4261 or DLA 1444-1 if using Debian packages.
  • If no packaged fix is available, follow current vendor guidance.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory developer systems for Syntastic or vim-syntastic versions through 3.9.0.
  • Check whether affected systems received Debian or upstream security updates.
  • Review project parent directory permissions for untrusted write access.
  • Confirm security tooling does not run affected Syntastic versions in shared directories.
  • Record that no source-bundle evidence confirms active exploitation.
Prepared
Confidence
high
Sources
7

Public sources used

Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.

Potential ATT&CK relevance

Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context

These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.

ATT&CK lookup starting points

Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.

description · low confidence lookup

Execution behavior lookup

The CVE wording references code or command execution, so execution technique review may help defensive triage. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.

Open ATT&CK lookup
cve · low confidence lookup

CVE-2018-11319 mapping review

Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.

Open ATT&CK lookup
Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Unknown
CVSS
Not scored
Known Exploited
No
Published
Official CVE source material

CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5

These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.

0CVSS vectors
0Timeline events
0ADP providers
6Source links

CVSS and timeline data

No CVSS vectors or timeline events were available in the normalized CVE source material.

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
n/an/an/aListed
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.