CVE-2022-1968Public exploit

Code execution via freed path-search line

Published Jun 2, 2022 · Updated Aug 3, 2024

Use-after-free in Vim before 8.2.5050 allows local users to crash the editor or execute code through a crafted path search. The find_pattern_in_path function retains a buffer-line pointer from ml_get while regular-expression processing can invalidate and free that line, then continues reading the stale pointer. Exploitation requires local interaction with a crafted buffer and path-search operation; bounded outcomes include an editor crash, unexpected values, or code execution in the Vim process.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability1.41%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Use-after-free in Vim before 8.2.5050 allows local users to crash the editor or execute code through a crafted path search. The find_pattern_in_path function retains a buffer-line pointer from ml_get while regular-expression processing can invalidate and free that line, then continues reading the stale pointer. Exploitation requires local interaction with a crafted buffer and path-search operation; bounded outcomes include an editor crash, unexpected values, or code execution in the Vim process.

The record

CVE
CVE-2022-1968
Published
Jun 2, 2022
Updated
Aug 3, 2024
Vendor
Vim
Product
Vim
Classifications
CWE-416, T1203
Attack vector
local
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jun 2, 2022CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 3, 2024Record 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
6.8NIST NVDAV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P
7.8huntr.devCVSS:3.0/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 9, 2026Sep 15, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 15, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-416Use After Free
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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