CVE-2025-66476Public exploit

Arbitrary code execution via current-directory executable hijacking

Published Dec 2, 2025 · Updated Feb 26, 2026

Uncontrolled search path handling in Vim for Windows before 9.1.1947 allows attackers to execute code through a malicious project directory. With cmd.exe configured as the shell, external-command features search the edited file's current directory before trusted system paths and can launch a planted lookalike executable. Exploitation requires the user to open or change into that directory and invoke an external tool; the planted program then runs with the user's privileges.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability0.45%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Uncontrolled search path handling in Vim for Windows before 9.1.1947 allows attackers to execute code through a malicious project directory. With cmd.exe configured as the shell, external-command features search the edited file's current directory before trusted system paths and can launch a planted lookalike executable. Exploitation requires the user to open or change into that directory and invoke an external tool; the planted program then runs with the user's privileges.

The record

CVE
CVE-2025-66476
Published
Dec 2, 2025
Updated
Feb 26, 2026
Vendor
Vim
Product
Vim
Classifications
CWE-427, CAPEC-38, T1574.008
Attack vector
local
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Dec 2, 2025CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Feb 26, 2026Record 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=< 9.1.1947

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Vim · Vimversion=< 9.1.1947

Published CVSS scores

7.8GitHubCVSS: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-427Uncontrolled Search Path Element
CAPEC-38Leveraging/Manipulating Configuration File Search Paths
T1574.008Path Interception by Search Order Hijacking

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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