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

Q: How do I fix CVE-2018-11319?

syntastic: upgrade to newer than 3.9.0; debian linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2018-11319 being exploited?

CVE-2018-11319 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

Q: What does CVE-2018-11319 affect?

CVE-2018-11319 affects syntastic, debian linux. Severity is high (CVSS 7.5). 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

Q: How urgent is CVE-2018-11319?

Priority 58/100. High severity; Public exploit reference; On your watchlist

This month

HIGH 7.5WATCHLISTUPGRADEMITIGATE

CVE-2018-11319 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.5) affecting syntastic, debian linux. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

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 pre

Why this priority

High severity
Public exploit reference
On your watchlist

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.5 (High)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	High
Privileges needed	Low
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	2.8% (top 14%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-22
Published	2018-05-20
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: debian · syntastic project

Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2018-05-20 20:29 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 01:35 UTCUpdated Record last modified

syntastic project syntastic UPGRADE

Affected: <= 3.9.0

Fixed in: newer than 3.9.0

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy syntastic || rpm -q syntastic || syntastic --version

2. UPGRADE to newer than 3.9.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade syntastic

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade syntastic

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

debian debian linux MITIGATE

Affected: 8.0 · 9.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 8.0

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2018-11319?

syntastic: upgrade to newer than 3.9.0; debian linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2018-11319 being exploited?

CVE-2018-11319 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2018-11319 affect?

CVE-2018-11319 affects syntastic, debian linux. Severity is high (CVSS 7.5). 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

How urgent is CVE-2018-11319?

Priority 58/100. High severity; Public exploit reference; On your watchlist

Software pages

Debian vulnerabilities · Vim vulnerabilities

References

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