CVE-2022-0572Public exploit

Crash or code execution via unchecked retab columns

Published Feb 13, 2022 · Updated Nov 3, 2025

Heap-based buffer overflow in Vim before 8.2.4359 allows local users to crash the editor or corrupt memory through repeated :retab commands. The ex_retab function in src/indent.c lets its virtual column counter reach MAXCOL while repeatedly converting tabs and spaces, so later processing exceeds a heap buffer. Exploitation requires control of an editing session or user interaction that runs repeated :retab operations; a crash is demonstrated, and code execution is also identified as an impact.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability26.47%
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 before 8.2.4359 allows local users to crash the editor or corrupt memory through repeated :retab commands. The ex_retab function in src/indent.c lets its virtual column counter reach MAXCOL while repeatedly converting tabs and spaces, so later processing exceeds a heap buffer. Exploitation requires control of an editing session or user interaction that runs repeated :retab operations; a crash is demonstrated, and code execution is also identified as an impact.

The record

CVE
CVE-2022-0572
Published
Feb 13, 2022
Updated
Nov 3, 2025
Vendor
Vim
Product
Vim
Classifications
CWE-787, CWE-122, T1203
Attack vector
local
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Feb 13, 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

7.8NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
8.4huntr.devCVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/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-787Out-of-bounds Write
CWE-122Heap-based Buffer Overflow
T1203Exploitation for Client Execution

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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