CVE-2022-0261

Code execution via mis-sized block insertion buffer

Published Jan 18, 2022 · Updated Nov 3, 2025

Heap buffer overflow in Vim before 8.2.4120 allows context-dependent attackers to execute code via crafted block insertion input. The block_insert function in src/ops.c underallocates its new buffer because the size calculation omits copied padding and mishandles an invalid multibyte offset. The trigger requires opening attacker-controlled text and performing Visual-block insertion; memory corruption can crash the editor or run code with the user's privileges.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability1.68%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Heap buffer overflow in Vim before 8.2.4120 allows context-dependent attackers to execute code via crafted block insertion input. The block_insert function in src/ops.c underallocates its new buffer because the size calculation omits copied padding and mishandles an invalid multibyte offset. The trigger requires opening attacker-controlled text and performing Visual-block insertion; memory corruption can crash the editor or run code with the user's privileges.

The record

CVE
CVE-2022-0261
Published
Jan 18, 2022
Updated
Nov 3, 2025
Vendor
Vim
Product
Vim
Classifications
CWE-122, T1204.002
Attack vector
local
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jan 18, 2022CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Nov 3, 2025Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=unspecified <8.2

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Vim · Vimversion=unspecified <8.2

Published CVSS scores

7.8Canonical UbuntuCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

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No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-122Heap-based Buffer Overflow
T1204.002Malicious File

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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