CVE-2022-0572 in vim
Summary
by MITRE • 02/14/2022
Heap-based Buffer Overflow in GitHub repository vim/vim prior to 8.2.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/29/2026
The heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-0572 affects the popular text editor vim version prior to 8.2. This vulnerability resides within the vim source code repository hosted on github.com/vim/vim and represents a critical security flaw that could potentially allow remote code execution or system compromise. The issue manifests during heap memory allocation operations when processing certain input data structures, creating conditions where maliciously crafted input could trigger unauthorized memory access patterns.
The technical flaw occurs within vim's memory management subsystem where heap-based buffer overflows are triggered by improper bounds checking during dynamic memory allocation. When vim processes specific input sequences, particularly those involving complex text manipulation or file parsing operations, the application fails to properly validate the size of allocated memory blocks. This allows attackers to write beyond the allocated buffer boundaries into adjacent heap memory regions, potentially corrupting critical data structures or executing arbitrary code. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-121 as a heap-based buffer overflow, which is a well-documented weakness in memory safety mechanisms. The flaw specifically impacts vim's handling of certain escape sequences and character encoding scenarios during text processing operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to potentially enable remote code execution attacks. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by crafting malicious input files or network traffic that, when processed by vim, would trigger the buffer overflow condition. This could result in complete system compromise, data exfiltration, or persistent backdoor installation. The vulnerability affects systems running vim versions prior to 8.2, making it particularly concerning for enterprise environments where vim is widely deployed for text editing and system administration tasks. The attack surface is broad since vim is commonly used across multiple operating systems including linux, unix, and windows platforms, increasing the potential impact of exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-0572 focus primarily on immediate version updates to vim 8.2 or later releases where the buffer overflow has been patched. System administrators should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all vim installations are updated promptly. Additional defensive measures include implementing input validation controls, restricting vim execution privileges where possible, and monitoring for unusual memory allocation patterns or process behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter usage, as exploitation may involve crafting malicious scripts or input files to trigger the vulnerable code path. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of systems running vim, particularly in environments where the editor processes untrusted input data from external sources.