CVE-2022-0629 in vim
Summary
by MITRE • 02/17/2022
Stack-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 vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-0629 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw discovered in the popular text editor vim prior to version 8.2. This vulnerability exists within the vim repository hosted on GitHub and was classified under the Common Weakness Enumeration framework as CWE-121, which specifically addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions. The flaw manifests when the software fails to properly validate input length during certain operations, creating an exploitable condition where malicious data can overwrite adjacent memory locations on the stack. Such buffer overflows are particularly dangerous because they can lead to arbitrary code execution, system compromise, or denial of service conditions that affect the integrity and availability of affected systems.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs during specific parsing operations within vim's codebase where character sequences are processed without adequate bounds checking. When an attacker provides malicious input that exceeds the allocated buffer size, the excess data overflows into adjacent stack memory regions, potentially overwriting return addresses, function pointers, or other critical control data. This type of vulnerability is classified under the ATT&CK framework as part of the privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting software exploitation methods that leverage memory corruption flaws. The stack-based nature of the overflow means that the attacker can manipulate the program's execution flow by overwriting the return address of a function, redirecting execution to malicious code placed in memory.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-0629 extends beyond simple exploitation to encompass widespread system compromise across environments where vim is installed and actively used. Since vim is a fundamental component in many Unix-like operating systems and development environments, the vulnerability affects a broad range of users and organizations. Attackers can leverage this flaw to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running vim, potentially escalating to system-level access in cases where vim is run with elevated permissions. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in server environments where vim might be used for configuration file editing or log analysis, as these scenarios provide attackers with potential entry points for persistent access. Additionally, the vulnerability can be exploited through various attack vectors including file processing, command line argument handling, or even network-based attacks that target vim's network protocols.
Organizations and system administrators should immediately implement mitigation strategies to address this vulnerability, with the primary recommendation being the upgrade to vim version 8.2 or later where the buffer overflow has been patched. The fix typically involves implementing proper bounds checking mechanisms and input validation routines that prevent data from exceeding allocated buffer boundaries. Security teams should also consider implementing network segmentation, access controls, and monitoring for suspicious vim usage patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additional mitigations include disabling unnecessary vim features, restricting file permissions for vim executables, and employing runtime protection mechanisms such as stack canaries or address space layout randomization to make exploitation more difficult. Regular vulnerability assessments and security audits should be conducted to ensure that all instances of vim across the organization are properly updated and monitored for similar vulnerabilities. The remediation process should also include user education about safe vim usage practices and the importance of keeping software updated to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities.