CVE-2022-0417Public exploit

Code execution via unchecked retab tabstop value

Published Feb 1, 2022 · Updated Nov 3, 2025

Heap-based buffer overflow in Vim 8.1.0105 through 8.2.4244 allows local users to crash Vim or execute code via a crafted file. The ex_retab path accepts :retab 0 with an oversized tabstop value without consistently enforcing the 9,999 limit, causing an out-of-bounds heap write. Exploitation requires user interaction with attacker-controlled input that reaches the Ex-mode retab path; consequences include a process crash or code execution.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability1.53%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Heap-based buffer overflow in Vim 8.1.0105 through 8.2.4244 allows local users to crash Vim or execute code via a crafted file. The ex_retab path accepts :retab 0 with an oversized tabstop value without consistently enforcing the 9,999 limit, causing an out-of-bounds heap write. Exploitation requires user interaction with attacker-controlled input that reaches the Ex-mode retab path; consequences include a process crash or code execution.

The record

CVE
CVE-2022-0417
Published
Feb 1, 2022
Updated
Nov 3, 2025
Vendor
Vim
Product
Vim
Classifications
CWE-122, CWE-787, T1204.002
Attack vector
local
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Feb 1, 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

6.8NIST NVDAV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P
8.4huntr.devCVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
7.8NIST NVDCVSS: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 exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-122Heap-based Buffer Overflow
CWE-787Out-of-bounds Write
T1204.002Malicious File

Public exploit references

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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