CVE-2022-0393 in vim
Summary
by MITRE • 01/29/2022
Out-of-bounds Read in GitHub repository vim/vim prior to 8.2.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/01/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-0393 represents a critical out-of-bounds read flaw discovered in the popular vim text editor repository maintained by GitHub. This issue affects versions of vim prior to 8.2, making it a significant security concern for users who have not yet updated their installations. The vulnerability manifests when the software processes certain input data without proper bounds checking, leading to memory access violations that could potentially be exploited by malicious actors.
The technical nature of this out-of-bounds read vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of input parameters within the vim codebase. When processing specific file formats or user inputs, the application attempts to access memory locations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries. This flaw falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-125, which specifically addresses out-of-bounds read conditions. The vulnerability typically occurs in scenarios where the software assumes certain data structures will maintain specific sizes or formats, but encounters unexpected input that violates these assumptions.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-0393 extends beyond simple memory corruption, as it can potentially enable attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause denial of service conditions. In the context of vim's usage patterns, this vulnerability could be exploited through maliciously crafted files that trigger the vulnerable code path when opened or processed by the editor. Attackers might leverage this weakness to gain unauthorized access to systems where vim is used for text processing, particularly in server environments or automated workflows where the editor processes untrusted input from external sources.
Security researchers have identified this vulnerability as particularly concerning due to vim's widespread deployment across various operating systems and platforms. The ATT&CK framework categorizes such vulnerabilities under the technique T1059.001 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, as exploitation could allow attackers to execute commands through compromised vim processes. Organizations using vim in production environments should consider this vulnerability as a high-priority remediation target, especially in systems where vim processes sensitive or untrusted content. The remediation strategy should focus on updating to vim version 8.2 or later, which includes the necessary patches to prevent the out-of-bounds read condition from occurring during normal operation.
The broader implications of this vulnerability highlight the importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions in security-critical applications. Given vim's role in system administration, development workflows, and automated scripting environments, the potential for exploitation extends across multiple attack vectors. Security teams should implement monitoring for any suspicious activities related to vim processes and ensure that their patch management procedures include regular updates to this essential text editing tool. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the ongoing need for rigorous input validation and bounds checking in software development practices, particularly for applications that handle diverse input sources.