Vim for Windows Uncontrolled Search Path Element Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

MITRE NVD CVE.ORG JSON API

Summary

CVECVE-2025-66476
StatePUBLISHED
AssignerGitHub_M
Source PriorityCVE Program / NVD first with legacy fallback
Published2025-12-02 22:16:09 UTC
Updated2026-10-18 18:10:00 UTC
DescriptionVim is an open source, command line text editor. Prior to version 9.1.1947, an uncontrolled search path vulnerability on Windows allows Vim to execute malicious executables placed in the current working directory for the current edited file. On Windows, when using cmd.exe as a shell, Vim resolves external commands by searching the current working directory before system paths. When Vim invokes tools such as findstr for :grep, external commands or filters via :!, or compiler/:make commands, it may inadvertently run a malicious executable present in the same directory as the file being edited. The issue affects Vim for Windows prior to version 9.1.1947.

Risk And Classification

Primary CVSS: v3.1 7.8 HIGH from [email protected]

CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

EPSS: 0.004530000 probability, percentile 0.379280000 (date 2026-10-18)

Problem Types: CWE-427 | CWE-427 CWE-427: Uncontrolled Search Path Element

VersionSourceTypeScoreSeverityVector
3.1[email protected]Secondary7.8HIGHCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
3.1CNADECLARED7.8HIGHCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CVSS v3.1 Breakdown

Attack Vector
Local
Attack Complexity
Low
Privileges Required
None
User Interaction
Required
Scope
Unchanged
Confidentiality
High
Integrity
High
Availability
High

CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

NVD Known Affected Configurations (CPE 2.3)

TypeVendorProductVersionUpdateEditionLanguage
Operating System Microsoft Windows - All All All
Application Vim Vim All All All All

Vendor Declared Affected Products

SourceVendorProductVersionPlatforms
CNA Vim Vim affected < 9.1.1947 Not specified

References

ReferenceSourceLinkTags
github.com/vim/vim/security/advisories/GHSA-g77q-xrww-p834 [email protected] github.com Patch, Vendor Advisory
www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2025/12/02/5 af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108 www.openwall.com Mailing List, Patch, Third Party Advisory
github.com/vim/vim/commit/083ec6d9a3b7b09006e0ce69ac802597d25 [email protected] github.com Patch
github.com/vim/vim/releases/tag/v9.1.1947 [email protected] github.com Release Notes
CVE Program record CVE.ORG www.cve.org canonical
NVD vulnerability detail NVD nvd.nist.gov canonical, analysis

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