CVE-2026-73071Public exploit

Freed-memory read via stale JSON decoder pointer

Published Aug 11, 2026 · Updated Aug 11, 2026

Use-after-free in Vim 9.2.0511 through 9.2.0843 allows local users to trigger a freed-memory read with split malformed JSON. json_decode_item() retains a pointer into the old read buffer after json_decode_string() invokes channel_fill() to join queued bytes, replace the buffer, and free the original allocation; the error formatter then reads through that stale pointer. Reachability requires JSON channel decoding and a peer that splits an invalid string across buffers; the read is not returned to that peer, but an unmapped allocation ends the process and can discard unsaved changes.

CVSS severity3.3
Low
EPSS probability0.11%
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 9.2.0511 through 9.2.0843 allows local users to trigger a freed-memory read with split malformed JSON. json_decode_item() retains a pointer into the old read buffer after json_decode_string() invokes channel_fill() to join queued bytes, replace the buffer, and free the original allocation; the error formatter then reads through that stale pointer. Reachability requires JSON channel decoding and a peer that splits an invalid string across buffers; the read is not returned to that peer, but an unmapped allocation ends the process and can discard unsaved changes.

The record

CVE
CVE-2026-73071
Published
Aug 11, 2026
Updated
Aug 11, 2026
Vendor
Vim
Product
Vim
Classifications
CWE-416, T1499.004
Attack vector
local
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Aug 11, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 11, 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=>= 9.2.0511, < 9.2.0844

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

Vim · Vimversion=>= 9.2.0511, < 9.2.0844

Published CVSS scores

3.3Red HatCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:L
3.3GitHub Security AdvisoryCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:L

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
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-416Use After Free
T1499.004Application or System Exploitation

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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