Description
Vim is a UNIX editor that, prior to version 9.0.2121, has a heap-use-after-free vulnerability. When executing a `:s` command for the very first time and using a sub-replace-special atom inside the substitution part, it is possible that the recursive `:s` call causes free-ing of memory which may later then be accessed by the initial `:s` command. The user must intentionally execute the payload and the whole process is a bit tricky to do since it seems to work only reliably for the very first :s command. It may also cause a crash of Vim. Version 9.0.2121 contains a fix for this issue.
Affected products
fedoraproject: fedora; netapp: hci compute node; neovim: neovim; vim: vim
References10
- github.com/vim/vim/security/advisories/GHSA-c8qm-x72m-q53q ExploitVendor Advisory
- lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/[email protected]… Vendor Advisory
- lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/[email protected]… Vendor Advisory
- security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20240105-0001/ Vendor Advisory
- github.com/vim/vim/security/advisories/GHSA-c8qm-x72m-q53q ExploitVendor Advisory
- lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/[email protected]… Vendor Advisory
- lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/[email protected]… Vendor Advisory
- security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20240105-0001/ Vendor Advisory
- www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2023/11/22/3 Mailing ListPatchThird Party Advisory
- github.com/vim/vim/commit/26c11c56888d01e298cd8044caf860f3c26f5… Patch
Metrics
- CVSS 3.1
-
4.7
MEDIUM
Score source: NVD
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H - EPSS — exploit probability
- 1% percentile: 46 · as of 5 November 2026
- CWE
- CWE-416
Could this be exploited in your environment?
A patch closes the known hole. A penetration test shows what an attacker can still reach — with proof.