Memory corruption via freed window use
Published Dec 5, 2022 · Updated Apr 14, 2025
Use-after-free in Vim before 9.0.0882 allows local users to execute code or crash the editor through crafted spell-language events. The did_set_spelllang path continued using a buffer or window after a SpellFileMissing autocmd could wipe it, and patch 9.0.0882 added validity checks. Exploitation requires opening crafted content that triggers the spell-file-missing autocmd sequence; consequences include memory corruption, code execution, or editor termination.
Summary
What happened
Use-after-free in Vim before 9.0.0882 allows local users to execute code or crash the editor through crafted spell-language events. The did_set_spelllang path continued using a buffer or window after a SpellFileMissing autocmd could wipe it, and patch 9.0.0882 added validity checks. Exploitation requires opening crafted content that triggers the spell-file-missing autocmd sequence; consequences include memory corruption, code execution, or editor termination.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2022-4292
- Published
- Dec 5, 2022
- Updated
- Apr 14, 2025
- Vendor
- Vim
- Product
- Vim
- Classifications
- CWE-416, T1203
- Attack vector
- local
- Privileges
- unauthenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Dec 5, 2022CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Apr 14, 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.
- Affected versionversion=unspecified <9.0.0882
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
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.
Public exploit references
No public exploit references are available in this record.
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Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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