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.
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
- Aug 11, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- 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.
- Affected versionversion=>= 9.2.0511, < 9.2.0844
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
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.
Public exploit references
- Vim socket-server JSON refill regression payloadproof of concept · demonstrated
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Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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